Skip to main content

Key to a Lasting Marriage

I've recently tried to help a couple improve their unhappy marriage. I shared my experience and knowledge in basic therapeutic concepts such as the Emotional Bank Account and the Five Love Languages.

The couple understood the concepts but both had the same knockout question: why must I take the initiative?

It was an understandable question since both of them were fed up with each other.

As they were both earnest Christians, I reminded them of their marriage vow and the sanctity of marriage; it was not an option but an obligation for them to do what they can to salvage their marriage.

They finally conceded, looked at each other, and promised to try loving each other more through the new concepts that they'd learnt.

I hope things would eventually work out... Through this brief session, I discovered the key to a lasting marriage - not mumbo-jumbo concepts/techniques but God; take God out of marriage and divorce becomes a tempting option...


"Haven't you read," he replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh'? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." (Matt 19:4-6)

"Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church." - Pope John Paul II (1920-2005) 264th Pope

Comments

Anonymous said…
I truly agree about your comments on that subject and i was happy to find out that other people as well believe that faith to God is essential for a lasting marriage.Although i m single at the time, i m dreaming of a lasting marriage with the God ' s guidance.Really, there' s no other way...

Popular posts from this blog

Designed for Love

An old friend once asked me a simple yet intriguing question, "Is being unhappy considered discontentment or a lack of gratitude?" The question seemed a bit awkward at first glance but in retrospect, I realised that the awkwardness matched the subject at hand perfectly: the uncanny elusiveness of human happiness . In an instant, I texted her this answer with incredibly little thought: "A pen is happy only when used as a pen to write. An eagle is happy only when soaring high. There's your answer." I guess the Holy Spirit must be guiding me... "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." ( John 15:12 ) "If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." ( 1 Corinthians 13:2 ) "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." ( 1 John 4:12 ) "And ...

Diary of a little echo

  Preparation for catechism session via Zoom This year, I completed my 8-year journey as a catechist and I must say it has been a most fulfilling adventure where I - learnt much about my beautiful Catholic faith from other catechists and through preparations of sessions; - enjoyed sharing my favourite faith stories to inspire our youths;   Primary 6 Session on "History of the Jewish People"   - worked hard with my team to plan interesting camps that not only bring our youths closer to Jesus but also strengthen their bonds with one another;   Playing Jesus in a skit at a Confirmation Camp - felt encouraged when our youths managed to complete their journey and even returned to serve;  - forged lifelong friendships with fellow catechists, coordinators and admin team through struggles with life's challenges while pressing on with our vocation; and - deepened my relationship with Jesus! If you're considering this special ministry and wondering if you have suf...

Divine Preaching

I must confess I could not remember much from Sr Faustia’s talk at the Divine Mercy Shrine in Krakow, Poland. Earlier in the morning of 12 June 2018, we were totally wasted at the WieliczkaSalt Mine and after lunch, we were only thinking of Divine Sleep… However, Sr Faustia continued to speak with love and conviction despite seeing many of us “nodding”. Throughout our brief encounter with her, her divine smile never left her and I could feel it reaching to the very depths of my being with an incredible joy that is definitely unearthly. Sr Faustia attributed her amazing life to the Diary of St Faustina and I wasted no time in getting a copy from the bookstore and started reading it. I am still reading it but I am already inspired with the first few chapters, so I highly recommend it to everyone who wishes to grow in holiness and joy. In our modern world of distractions and digital deluge, we really don’t need more eloquent speeches or articles – Sr Faustia showed...