Tough Times in Marriage

Most marriages will eventually face tough times in the form of serious hardship or tragedy. To name just a few examples, couples may face a serious illness or injury, the loss of a job, the closing of a family business, a house fire or flood, the death of a loved one, and so forth. When some couples encounter these and other types of heartrending circumstances they discover a deep bond that serves to make them closer and more committed than ever before. Unfortunately, other couples experience difficulties that drive them apart in similar circumstances. Why is it that some marriages thrive during tough times while others destruct?

Disillusionment in New Marriages

Studies show that sixty percent of couples in failed marriages experienced marital doubts and dissatisfaction within the first year of their marriage. In two-thirds of these cases these thoughts and feelings arise within the first six months. Marriage researchers have long identified the post-honeymoon phase – first two years of marriage – as one of the key benchmarks in which divorce is most likely to occur. [See related article.] Why are new marriages so vulnerable to the disillusionment and discouragement that can jeopardize a happy and lasting union?

Pragmatic Commitment to Marriage

Commitment in marriage is a multifaceted topic. There are many reasons why couples in successful marriages remain together. For example, one type of commitment is that of a moral and/or religious nature. [See previous article.] But this is not the only glue that binds partners together. This brief article focuses on another kind of commitment in marriage that is often overlooked – pragmatic commitment.

Love Thinks No Evil

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 delineates several critical attributes that reveal the force and nature of love. Among these is the sentiment that love thinks no evil. What does scripture mean by this statement? What is the practical application of this principle with respect to the love between a husband and wife?

Marriage Struggles and Support from Friends

Sarah and Michael were having some struggles in their marriage. Sarah was feeling lonely and dejected. She felt that she really needed someone with whom she could talk. She longed to just spill out all of her emotions to a friend and have a shoulder to cry on. She also welcomed a bit of sound advice – she was desperate. Sarah turned to her friend Melissa for help and support. They were becoming close friends.  And, Melissa was a strong person who really seemed to know a lot about relationships. This is how their conversation went…

Marriage and Personal Freedom

One area with which many couples struggle in their marriages – especially early on – is the issue of personal freedom. When two people get married are they to abandon social life outside of the marriage? Should partners have personal interests and pursuits that do not involve one another? What exactly are the appropriate limits on personal space after you tie the knot? This brief article addresses these and related questions.

Respect in Marriage

Marc and his colleague, Ed, were discussing the business they had to do together the next day. It was going to be an important day and potentially a profitable day for their company. Ed had an idea. “Hey, if everything goes as planned the two of us should celebrate and treat ourselves to a nice dinner after work tomorrow.” Marc was clearly interested in Ed’s plan, but did not commit himself immediately. “Sounds great,” Marc told his friend, “but let me check with Becky first.” Marc could tell what was coming next by the expression on Ed’s face.