Christian Marriage Counseling
Written by: Steve Knight
Couples Who Use Christianity as a Basis for a Strong Marriage Have a Lower Divorce Rate
For couples interested in reaping the benefits of Christian marriage counseling, there are many faith-based resources available for improving their relationships. Sadly, statistical analyses continue to show that over 40% of all marriages will end in divorce. However, the same studies also have proven that couples who use their Christianity as a basis for a strong, healthy marriage succumb to divorce in significantly lower numbers.
All Marriages Have Problems
Some of the issues commonly covered by Christian marriage counseling sessions include remembering that all marriages have some problems along the way at some time or another, it's a natural part of being in a relationship with another human being. What matters the most is how each individual reacts to the situation, and how they handle it together as a couple.
Christian Marriage Counseling also Focuses on Celebrating your Christianity Together
Christian marriage counseling also focuses on celebrating your Christianity together, becoming active in social gatherings that bring you closer together, whether in or out of the church, and turning to the Bible for additional guidance about married life and relationships in general. In the Old Testament alone there are at least 500 different references to marriage and the lives of husbands and wives.
Roles of the Christian Husband
According to the scripture, a man is supposed to leave his parents, become joined to his wife, and the two are then united as one. The role of the husband is to unconditionally love his wife, make sacrifices for her, and see her with the same love that Christ has for us. Christian marriage counseling often involves using the Bible to illustrate that while husbands and wives are equal partners in marriage, each has their own special roles and responsibilities to uphold within the relationship.
As illustrated in the book of Peter, women who demonstrate their godly character and exude a quiet inner beauty, and men who are kind, gentle, and honor their wives without fail are building the foundation for a lasting relationship in the eyes of God.
Learning to Respect your Spouse
Learning respect for one another is another prominent topic in Christian marriage counseling, as is intimacy, and showing constant consideration for each other's feelings. Counseling sessions, whether individual and led by a trained therapist or member of the clergy, or in a group setting with other couples facing similar situations, are designed to teach us how to use spiritual discipline to profoundly make a difference in our daily, family life.
Turning to Christian marriage counseling can bring everything into perspective, allowing both the husband and wife to hopefully see things through new eyes, with a fresh and renewed outlook on the relationship. It also teaches us to strive to overcome immorality, learn how to value our partner, and how to forgive as well as how to be forgiven.
Christian Counselors Do Not Usually Advocate Divorce
Although divorce is not usually recommended or advocated in a Christian marriage, counseling is aimed at working through problems and finding out if there's hope for rebuilding the bond you once shared, before deciding that divorce is in fact the best choice. If that is the case, the Christian church also offers invaluable guidance and counseling to handle this often devastating life decision.
Counseling by a trained professional will attempt to repair the damage that's been done with insightful advice, helpful strategies, and unbiased guidance using Christianity as the cornerstone. While marriages may indeed be made in heaven, there are those that still need a little extra help now and again.
