Should we consider Christian marriage counseling?
Christian marriage counseling is in many ways similar to secular marriage counseling. Like secular marriage counseling, Christian marriage counseling aims at helping two people deal with difficult issues and strengthen relationship skills so their marriage can be one of deep love and meaning. Christian marriage counseling, however, differs from secular marriage counseling in its primary focus, which relates not only to your marriage but your individual spiritual lives as well.
The goal of a Christian marriage is to create a loving, respectful, committed relationship in which both partners seek to honor God and live out Biblical principles. Christian marriage counseling doesn't aim merely to address whatever difficulties you're facing in your relationship. It also focuses on how each of you lives out your Christian values, and how you can each deepen your spiritual lives and your relationship with God.
Christian marriage counseling, to put it simply, seeks to help people in a troubled marriage better understand themselves, each other, and God.
Christian marriage counseling: Commonly asked questions
Why Christian marriage counseling?
As Christians, we might be tempted to think, "Why turn to an outsider? With prayer and God's help, we can get through this on our own." But sometimes, we all need an objective person external to our issues to help us see things we're not seeing for ourselves. And a trained Christian marriage counselor can point out ideas that we're missing and help us see what God wants from our marriage.It's no secret that divorce has become a pandemic, for Christians and non-Christians alike. And so much of our society seem to be actually working against the idea of healthy, loving, marriages. So if you think Christian marriage therapy might be necessary at this point, then it's probably a good idea to at least explore the idea.
What does Christian marriage counseling address?
Christian marriage counseling can help you in three main areas you may be struggling with. First, Christian marriage counseling can help you deal with individual problems that have come up for one or both of you, such as grief, doubt, anger management, etc. Second, Christian marriage counseling can help you deal with relational issues, including everything from a loss of closeness to conflict resolution to infidelity. And third, Christian marriage therapy can help refocus your marriage when one or both of you feels like you've lost a sense of devotion to God's principles for your lives.
Do we really need Christian marriage counseling?
Ask yourself these "Christian Marriage Counseling questions":Christian Marriage Counseling Question #1:
Does it seem that, despite fervent and consistent prayer, the distance between my spouse and me is becoming greater and greater?
Christian Marriage Counseling Question #2:
Does it seem that walls are going up between us and that communication is either nonexistent or not very effective?
Christian Marriage Counseling Question #3:
Has there been infidelity or strong suspicion of infidelity?
Christian Marriage Counseling Question #4:
Is one or both of us finding it difficult to build, maintain, or rebuild trust in our marriage?
Christian Marriage Counseling Question #5:
Have persistent attempts to resolve issues of trust and commitment been largely unsuccessful?
Christian Marriage Counseling Question #6:
Do we seem to have lost a sense of God's purpose for our marriage?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it would likely be advantageous for you two to take some time to visit with a trained Christian marriage counselor who can help you look at the issues you're facing and offer Biblical counsel and wisdom as to how best to address them.
Additional Resources:
http://www.healthfinder.gov/orgs/HR2417.htm
http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/
http://marriage.rutgers.edu
http://marriageandfamilies.byu.edu/
