SEVEN BIGGIES THAT THREATEN MARRIAGES

Many things have the capacity to derail a marriage, but some are more predictable than others.

The following is from a brief essay, “The Marriage Killers”, written by Dr. James Dobson in Focus On The Family in February of 1993.

1. Overcommitment And Physical Exhaustion.

~ Young couples seem especially prone to this potential problem.

Can't one go to college, work full time, have a baby, manage a toddler, fix up the house, and start a business - - all at the same time?

One variation of the above is when the husband “abandons” the wife to care for the kids on her own.

~ When the plate becomes so full, couples become like two ships passing in the night.

While discontent and depression can be quite serious, they can also work insidiously to unravel a marriage.

Time must be reserved to nurture your love and marriage.

2. Excessive Credit And Conflict Over How Money Will Be Spent.

Aim to pay cash for consumables or don't buy.

Don't spend more on a house or a vehicle than your can afford.

Guard against yielding to the temptation of instant gratification.

Allocate your funds so as to allow for some fun time and a margin of flexibility.

3. Interference From In-Laws.

This comes when either husband or wife (or both) are not emancipated from their parents.

Living in close proximity offers both benefits and negatives.

4. Space Invaders.

Both husbands and wives need “breathing room”.  Not a few marriages die from suffocation.

Jealousy and low self-esteem are two notable avenues where “constrictions” often find a place to root.

Fidelity strengthens love that flourishes with freedom.

5. Pornography, Gambling And Other Addictions.

Personality baggage (sinful behavior) brought from early life can continue if not properly addressed.

The best way to fight off potentially-addictive enticements is to not toy with evil.

Don't play with fire.

6. Business Failure.

Agitations over short-falls in the business realm which spawn financial reverses often create subliminal anger toward family life.

7. Business Success.

“It is almost as risky to succeed wildly as it is to fail miserably in business.

Prov.30:8 / Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.