Big Idea: To prevent relational damage, conflict must be resolved in a timely and biblical manner. Unity must be preserved and restored so that God is glorified. Description Flight Fight Face It Motto “Peace at any price” “It’s my way or the highway” “We can work it out” Focus Me (self-protection) You (Blame or [...]
Relationships 101 When interpersonal problems are mishandled →CONFLICT When conflict is unresolved → DAMAGED RELATIONSHIPS (Latin ‘conflictus” meaning collision; past participle ‘confligere’ meaning strike together) When damaged relationships are not repaired → SEVERED TIES Ungodly Statistic Non-denominational evangelical Christians’ divorce rate: 38% Baptists’ divorce rate: 29% Atheists’/Agnostics’ divorce rate: 21% South has greatest percentage of [...]
When we enter into a relationship, we bring not only our love and warmth but also the attitudes, behaviors and habits from all previous relationships. Each of these relationships molded and formed us into the people we are today. Perhaps our most significant relationship was the one we had with our parent(s). The way in [...]
Letting hurt and anger go unattended can cause serious, long-term damage to a marriage. Emotional wounds must be addressed in a biblically constructive manner or the offended party's spirit will eventually close. Definitions: spirit (‘pneuma’ means by which man relates to God) is a person’s innermost being; the “real you” soul (‘psyche’ means by which [...]
Research findings are highly consistent concerning compatibility. The most stable marriages are those involving two people with many similarities. For couples, similarities are money in the bank and differences are like debts that must be paid. When people come from similar backgrounds they operate from a position of strength. Their relationship is made easier by [...]
It’s a strange thing. I rarely have a man ask me, “Why doesn’t my wife talk to me?” What I do hear is almost always the opposite—“Why doesn’t my husband talk to me?” It’s something of an axiom that men do not have as great a desire for conversation with their wives as women do [...]
A common complaint I regularly hear from those requesting marriage counseling sounds like this: “I feel distant from my spouse.” “I try to get my husband to open up, but he just shuts down.” “My wife just doesn’t seem interested in me anymore. I feel like we’re a million miles apart.” Marriage counselors refer to [...]
Have you ever said, “Look, I said I’m sorry; can we just drop it?” OR “All right, fine. I’m sorry. Do you feel better now?” Where did we get the idea that two simple words have the power to absolve all offenses and heal all wounds? When did we come to believe that we are [...]
Boundaries are one of the most powerful tools you have in relationships. They make you feel like you matter and that you're safe. Asking for what you want makes relationships mutually satisfying. When boundaries are a struggle, you feel unsure of yourself. You go along with what others want because it's easier. You don't want [...]
The couple that never has conflict does not exist. It is inevitable for a number of reasons: men and women are different; we have different backgrounds; and we all have a nature that is prone to selfishness. Unfortunately, conflict can lead to emotionally painful fights, which may result in hostility, bitterness, alienation, and even separation [...]
