INTRODUCTION: The idea of marriage is of God, and not of man. It was God who instituted marriage. “The Lord God said, it is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him,” Genesis 2:18 (NIV).
Since marriage institution is all about the Creator’s idea, He (GOD) has given us everything we need to enjoy in life including our marriage. His Word (The Bible) is filled with information on how marriage can be heaven on earth. God has also raised among us seasoned marriage counselors who can provide good seminars on how things can work in the home. There are good Christian books on marriage too that can help us live according to the purpose of God in our homes.
Unfortunately, lots of Christians are not enjoying all the benefits God has provided for us in our homes. Many Christians are besieged with lots of problems and misunderstandings. Some even degenerate into physical combat between the husband and the wife. The ministers of the gospel are not even left out of this.
There are many ministers who have abandoned their wives and do not see anything wrong in taking a new wife. Their excuse is that as long as they do not marry two women at a time; not minding the word of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in Luke 16:18 (NIV), “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries a divorced commits adultery.”
Paul explains it properly in Romans 7:2-3, “For example, by the law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. So, then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulterer, even though she marries another.”
A research statistics culled from the internet shows that about 52% of all marriages in recent times end in divorce. Research also revealed that the major problem is that most couples do not have time for each other. They are not spending enough time with each other to discuss serious matters that may adversely affect the peaceful atmosphere and existence of love in their union.
Marital relationship requires effective and efficient communication between a couple to ensure success in their marriage, and to also prevent their marriage from hitting the rock.
Quite a lot of marriages today deteriorate due to lack of ability of the couple to verbally relate with each other. Oftentimes some married couples may not really know each other well, and as such they are strangers cohabiting in marriage.
Communication ineffectiveness in marriage affects several areas in the life of couples. For instance their sexual life may adversely be affected because of lack or poor communication between the husband and the wife. In fact the issue of sex is a subject many people do not want to talk about; even husband and wife. That is why the issue of effective communication in marriage is seriously discussed in our book, Effective Communication in Marriage” that I co-authored with my dear late husband, Rev. Temitayo Sosanya (a.k.a Jerusalem Pastor) of blessed memory!
This book (Effective Communication in Marriage ) will help you to tackle many problems in the home and ensure you enjoy a sweet and lasting relationship in your marriage in line with the purpose of God, the Originator of marriage relationship. (Continues next edition) The Book, Effective Communication In Marriage written by Rev. Tayo & Abiodun Sosanya is being serialized from this edition in Christian Benefits magazine
Rev. Mrs. Abiodun Sosanya is a renowned marriage counselor of over 30 years experience in Marriage & Home affairs and a Pastor in Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. She is available for counseling on all marriage-related issues and as a speaker on Marriage & Home affairs in churches, conferences and seminars. She can be contacted on 08033332138,or 08033055758
