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COUPLES –

Communication is simply talking, but of cause, there are more things involved than just talking. A healthy conversation involves not just what is said but what is heard.

In essence, communication is a two way conversation which involves speaking and hearing. The two spouses must form the conscious habit of allowing the other spouse express himself or herself. While he/ she speaks, the other partner should be actively listening.

Not listening for pleasure, not listening for information but should practise empathic listening. This is putting yourself in the conversation. Trying to understand and feel the impulse of the speaker.

It is unhealthy to to dominate a conversation without waiting at intervals to get feedback. To check whether your hearer is hearing the right thing, to know how he/she is processing the information. The aim of your conversation especially on marriage is for your partner to understand what you are saying , understand and then obey you.

Listening should not also be done with the intention of giving a reply that will defend your status or what you represent in the marriage covenant.

I think we cannot also have a good conversation with our spouse if our interpretation of what marriage is, is defective. Until we see our marriage from the view point of it being a covenant relationship, every other thing becomes loop sided.

What we see most couples practising is contract and not covenant marriage.

This is so important. It is a contract (which could be unwritten and informal), when the marriage is based on mutual benefit. That is, we are both doing something for each other.

For example, I will be nice to you, if you bring in enough money. Or, if you help out in the house, I will prepare the meals.

The opposite obtains if your spouse doesn’t do what is expected. I will be very cold and unresponsive to you if you hurt my feelings. I will be uncaring to you if you disrespect me.

Marriage is a covenant. In which each partner takes up his/her responsibility.
A wife is to submit fully. The husband takes up his responsibility to love her like Christ does irrespective of what she does.

It is the aim of covenant relationship to please and serve the other person despite what he/ she does.

It’s kind of difficult right? Very hard. Especially if you have been to some school of hardknocks, where you have been deeply hurt.

If you are starting on a clean note and you have this understanding, how blessed you are.

No matter how farther away we have gone, in Christ there is always a way out. He shows us and leads us in the way since He is the way.

We need to retrace our steps and in humility, accept what works.

When a marriage is not working, both partners are responsible. It is not just one persons fault but the two parties have their contributing factors.

Tomorrow, I will attempt to summarize the five levels of Communication.

God bless your marriage.

CONFESSION FOR THE DAY
I am communicating well with my spouse.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Lord, help me to be a better communicator

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
They said to him, “Hezekiah says, ‘This is a black day. We’re in crisis. We’re like pregnant women without even the strength to have a baby!
Isaiah 37:3 – MSG

ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY
Talk with your spouse

BIBLE READING FOR THE DAY
Isaiah 37




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