The Antidote for Divorce
The effects of divorce are irreparable—not only for the individuals involved, but their children, and their children’s children. It causes a vicious cycle of generational havoc that has resulted in a 50% divorce rate, even for Christians. In a world where the sanctity of marriage is virtually meaningless, let’s explore some innovative ways to repluse the wide-spread disease of throwing in the towel, from a wide array of women who strive daily to perfect their bond with their spouse.
1. The Newlywed says: Make marriage easy. Nothing makes a man feel more accomplished than knowing his woman is happy. Nothing causes more marital strife than when a woman makes her husband feel like he isn’t doing a good job. Don’t have such high expectations; be thankful for the things he does for you, even if it isn’t exactly the way you want it done or you feel he doesn’t do enough. If you’re thankful for the little things and he notices, he will strive to do more to make you happy.
2. The Expert (married for 48 years) says: Like your spouse. We fall in love with passion and emotion, but the honeymoon doesn’t last forever. The day will come when we start to notice that Prince Charming has warts and is not always so charming. Liking someone takes work. If our daily decisions, attitude, and desires are to live in an unselfish way that puts our spouse first, we will be giving God what He needs to bless us through our husband or wife. The sowing and reaping theory works. We do reap what we sow into our marriage relationship. It eliminates the trap of putting our selfish expectations on our husband, which too often result in disappointment, a lot of drama, and ultimately, divorce.
3. The Divorcee says: The grass is always greener on the other side.. Until you get there. It’s important to realize no couple has it all! The couple with the better house and car usually don’t spend much time together because they are work-a-holics, while the All-American couple might mask their marital problems by concentrating too much on raising their children. Marriage is not a fairytale. Prevent envying another couples’ seemingly perfect life by being 100% honest and open with each other about your expectiations, mess-ups, and failures as well as your goals and your dreams.
I guess it is true—you can learn something from everyone! Nobody has the perfect antidote for divorce or the statistics would be different. All we can do is try, listen to the experts (and the not-so-experts) and do our best to never give up! Not quitting is the only difference between a couple who stuck it out and a couple who signed the papers.
