Parson to Person - Defeating drifting in marriage

Your relationships matter to God. He?s called us into a relationship with Him, and He calls us to love. Love Him first, and others next.

In marriage, drifting and isolation can occur, and it disrupts almost every marriage at some point. Couples can slowly drift apart, and don?t even recognize what is happening. Isolation is like rust that silently, slowly eats away at your marriage. By the time couples become aware of its insidious effects, much damage can already be done.

Since God created marriage, He has blueprints that build a strong marriage.

Here are three principles that can help you prevent drifting and isolation, and maintain a strong relationship:

1. Mirror God?s image. (See Genesis 1:26?27)

Allow your marriage to reflect God?s image to a world that desperately needs to see who He is. What is His image? We can see and study His image and lifestyle in the Gospels.

Since we?re created in the image of God, people who wouldn?t otherwise know what God is like, should be able to look at us and see Him in us- our words, actions, even our attitudes.

2. Mutually support each other and grow in friendship. Marriage means team. (See Genesis 2:18)

Adam felt alone in the garden, so God created woman to help and complete him. We all need interaction and love, like water and sunlight to a plant. You are a gift from Heaven to earth, so don?t keep God?s gifting He?s poured into you from others-share it. When you build your marriage according to God?s blueprints, as the seasons roll by, you will truly appreciate the genius of how God has custom-made your mate for you.

3. Multiply a Christian and Godly legacy. (See Psalm 127:1, 3-5)

A line of godly children will carry the reflection of God?s character to our next generation. God has a divine plan and destiny for each of our children. We must raise them in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and train them up in the way of Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and the wisdom of God?s Word.

God?s original plan called for the home to be like a spiritual greenhouse, a nurturing place where children grow up learning character, values, and integrity from God?s Word. One of your assignments as parents is to impart a sense of destiny?a spiritual mission?to your children.

Make your home a place where your children learn what it means to love and obey God-a training center to encourage, equip, and empower your children to look at the needs of people and the world through the eyes of Jesus Christ.

Have you recognized warning signs of drifting in your marriage? If so, talk with your spouse as soon as possible. Begin implementing some of these steps to defeat drifting in your relationship, and trust God to restore your relationship.

Author?s note: These concepts are adapted from Dennis Rainey, author, President/CEO of ?Family Life?, and marriage conference leader.