By Pastor Warren Richardson
Our marriages are victims of sneak attacks! What are some of the saboteurs of today's marriages?
They are:
1. Busyness 2. Irritation 3. Boredom
4. Drift 5. Debt 6. Pain
1. Busyness
We have 40 million two-income couples in America. Nearly one-third of us take work home. Work at home is to blame for the bulk of stress at home.
"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least." (Goethe)
People's working hours are continuing to rise while quality time together at home declines.
"We must identify our priorities and structure our lives accordingly." (Stephen Covey)
2. Irritability
It begins and ends with paying special attention to how we treat our partner.
Most people are particularly irritable at certain times of the day or when they are hungry. Raising an awareness of your ways is the key to keeping irritability at bay.
3. Boredom
People say they get tired of the hum-drum routine of the relationship. Marriage must constantly fight against a monster which devours everything - routine.
When the passion goes and the enthusiasm leaves, boredom comes knocking.
Chronic boredom can be fatal. If you are bored in your marriage, there are interests and energies your partner has that aren't being expressed.
4. Drift
Do you depend less and less on your partner? Have you quit sharing the details of your life with him or her?
Most couples who drift apart still care deeply for one another. The gap does not have to grow any wider!
Identify the problem head on.
Realign your priorities to spend some quality time with each other.
Learn to listen with greater compassion and give each other space when needed.
5. Debt
Recognize what you owe. Increase income or reduce expenses (how do I attack debt)?
You will spend 54% more if you use credit cards. Some think if they use a credit card, they won't register the pain of letting go of cash. The average American carries a credit card balance of over $6,000.
Find where you can cut your spending.
Become accountable to someone - someone has to keep your feet to the fire.
6. Pain (from the past)
The road to recovery requires healing!
"Marriage halves our griefs, doubles our joys, and quadruples our expenses." (English Proverb)
Many today have wounds and scars they have carried into their marriages; painful pasts that had nothing to do with their partners.
Children who had a negative bonding experience with parents have difficulty, or may even avoid getting intimate in their marriage for fear of failure or rejection.
God has provided a means to help you transcend the pain of your past!
Of all the bad things that sneak up on good marriages, which one is the most damaging?
What can you do today that will make it better?
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