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Save Your Marriage with God's Help
Many people choose to seek marriage counseling through their church or other religious community. There are several reasons for this, but it comes down to the religious counselor can understand that some issues have a spiritual component to them. If you are a believer trying to save your marriage, you know that you can count on God's help and the help of other believers; what's harder is knowing how to access that help and make it work for your marriage.
Here are some suggestions on how to save your marriage with God's help.
- Find a believing counselor. A counselor who shares your faith not only respects your spiritual and theological commitments, but also shares in them himself or herself.
- Pray for your spouse and your marriage. This can be a monumental undertaking if you are filled with bitterness, hurt, or resentment. Nevertheless, take a few moments each day to ask God to watch over your spouse and to work within both of your hearts.
- Ask for the prayers of others. You don't have to make a general announcement in church—just tell a few believing brothers or sisters that your marriage is going through a rough patch and you would appreciate their prayers. You don't need to offer details, but it's good to remember you're not alone.
- Find a mentor. An older man or woman in your congregation whose marriage you admire can help you by telling you how they survived the hard times in their marriage. It's nice to learn from those who've been there.
- Work toward forgiveness. It won't happen overnight; it may take years. But forgiveness is a choice more than a feeling; it's the choice not to let wrongs be the defining element in the relationship.