Resources/Articles
A Test For Your Marriage
...For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall
cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.
So that they are no more two, but one flesh.
What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.
Matthew 19:5,6
When a couple enters marriage, they should do so with such a commitment there is no consideration of bailing out. There should be no escape clauses in print or in mind prior to their marriage.
People often fail to realize how a couple will say or do things that undermine their marriage commitment. Some couples are closer to a separation than they might imagine. Give careful attention to the following questions:
- Do you ever threaten to leave your marriage in mind or by verbal expression to your spouse?
- Are you more committed to your mate than to your career?
- Is your mate secure by your commitment to your marriage?
- Are you more committed to your mate than your children?
- Are you more committed to your mate than to your hobbies and favorite activities?
- Do you emotionally leave your mate by withdrawing for an extended period of time because of conflict?
- Do you mentally leave your mate by staying preoccupied with other things?
- Are you interested in meeting your mate’s needs and actively doing what you can to meet them?
- Are the answers to difficult challenges in life often resolved in a physical way or spiritual way?
- If my mate and I remain married and things continue as they are now, will you both be unhappy in unfulfilled in your marriage?
- Do you believe it is important for you to do all you can to keep your marriage together?
- Are you willing to forgive your mate for what he/she has done to hurt you?
- How do you think your mate would answer these questions?
Carefully take introspection regarding these questions. Address those issues which concern your marriage most. Pray to God for help in resolving these matters, and remember the words of Ecclesiastes 5:4: “When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it…”
