Navigating the Storms

Article written and authored by Missy Craft

Preserving and Strengthening Christian Marriages

In a world rife with challenges and uncertainties, building a strong and resilient marriage is more crucial than ever. From a Christian perspective, a successful marriage is founded on a few core principles that go beyond just love and affection. It's through understanding these principles and applying them diligently that couples can weather the storms of life together.

The Foundation of a Christian Marriage: Agape Love

While Eros love focuses on self-fulfillment and physical gratification, and Phileo love emphasizes brotherly or sisterly affection, it's Agape love that forms the bedrock of a lasting Christian marriage. This type of love entails building up, supporting, and sacrificing for each other's growth, reflecting the same selfless love that Christ demonstrated on the cross.

Mutual Submission and Adaptation

Contrary to the traditional notion of dominance and submission, a Christian marriage thrives on mutual submission and adaptation. As Ephesians 5:21 instructs, "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ." This mutual respect allows partners to set aside their pride and ego to adapt to each other's needs, creating an environment of equality and understanding.

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The Divine Institution: God's Purpose for Families

The family is a divine institution designed by God to glorify Him and advance His Kingdom. As such, Christian family counseling should align with biblical values, focusing on the divine plan and incorporating biblical principles into the counseling process. This ensures that decisions are made in mutual concert with God, thereby strengthening the marital bond.

Navigating the Four Stages of Pre-Marriage Counseling

To build a strong foundation for a Christian marriage, pre-marriage counseling can be an invaluable tool. It generally involves four stages:

1. Understanding Personal Needs and Goals: Couples should first recognize and communicate their individual needs and aspirations.

2. Effective Communication: With a clear understanding of each other's needs, couples should learn to communicate effectively to meet them in a godly manner.

3. Conflict Resolution: Developing a workable format for resolving conflicts helps to mitigate future disagreements and strengthen the relationship.

4. Intimacy in Marital Boundaries: Couples must understand the importance of intimacy within the context of their marital boundaries.

In conclusion, a successful Christian marriage is built upon agape love, mutual submission, and reverence for God's divine plan for families. Through diligent application of these principles and proactive participation in pre-marriage counseling, couples can cultivate strong, resilient, and joyful marriages that can weather life's storms.

Here are ten additional scriptures that provide guidance and encouragement for navigating the storms of marriage and preserving and strengthening Christian marriages:

1. 1 Peter 3:7: "Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers."

2. Proverbs 24:3-4: "By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures."

3. 1 Corinthians 13:13: "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

4. Ephesians 5:25-26: "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word."

5. Psalm 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

6. Romans 15:5-6: "May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

7. Proverbs 17:17: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity."

8. Mark 10:9: "What God has joined together, let no man separate."

9. Hebrews 10:24-25: "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

10. Romans 5:3-4: "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

These scriptures remind us that the foundation of a strong Christian marriage is rooted in love, respect, and faith. They encourage couples to persevere through adversity, seeking wisdom and guidance from God to build a lasting and fulfilling relationship.