4 Ways to Prevent Marital Crisis 

Right from creation, God demonstrated His interest and the value placed on the marriage institution and the family, by being directly involved in the marriage institution. He did not merely speak it into being as He did with other creatures. He carefully put the institution of marriage together, step by step so that could prevent marital crisis.

 “Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. Genesis 2:22. 

Marriage is a union. It is the coming together of two people of the opposite sex, intending to build a God-centered home. One man, one woman. It involves a higher level of relationship between both individuals, deeper than what they have with any other person on earth. It is a union of Spirit, soul, and body. 

 “This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Genesis 2:24. 

The marriage relationship was to be a place of joy, peace, and fulfillment, but then it has been the reverse. That is why we must know the causes of family crisis and the way out. 

Cause of Crisis 

Self-centeredness: 

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Instead, in humility, value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3.  

In marriage, we should not be on the driver seat. God should be on the driver seat of our marriage. The problems and marital crisis come when we put ourselves on the driver’s seat. All we are thinking about is our personal needs; we do not care about the other person in the marriage relationship.

In other words, it is called the survival mentality. We are after who gains in the marriage, what to get out of it, and not what we should individually contribute. If we care about each other, we will not see fault in ourselves. 

 Speculative imagination: 

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7.  

This kind of imagination is sinful, demonic, and destructive. It is the voice of the devil targeted to destroy the marriage relationship. It paints a gloomy picture of the other person in the relationship. It de-generate to strife, anger, grift, etc. “whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction. Proverbs 17:19. 

Neglect and Familiarity: 

“Do not neglect your gift, which was given you….” 1 Timothy 4:14.  

There are special qualities, talents and skills we all saw in our spouses before we agreed to marry them; Those are abilities, gifts and skills given to us by God to spice up our marriage. It may look simple and minute, but it is not; because we all need it to keep us feeling good in our relationships.  

1 Peter 4:9,10. “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” “Some are words, dressing, shape, hospitality, etc. over-familiarity has destroyed a lot of marriages.” “We should keep everything new in our relationship. Scripture says there are new every morning” — lamentation 3:23. 

Emotions: 

“A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.” Proverbs 25:28.  

We should be in control of our emotions and not our emotions being in control of us. We Should be observant of each other; politely ask questions when it is necessary. A marriage relationship is a place we study and learn for ourselves. We should put the fruit of the Spirit to work if we want to overcome our emotions.  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23. 

Ways to Prevent Marital Crisis 

Increase in knowledge:  

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6. 

The level of our knowledge of God’s Word will determine the success of our marriage.  

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God a workman that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.  

Our marriage cannot grow above our knowledge of God. We are not talking about our educational career knowledge; that has nothing to do with our marital lives. Every career has its source of knowledge. The source of spousal knowledge is from God’s Words. We should go for the Word, study and practice it so we can effectively prevent marital crisis. 

Developing a relationship with God: 

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” Philippians 3:10.  

This scripture is talking about having a relationship with God, not head knowledge or religious knowledge, but talking about having an intimacy, close fellowship with God.  

“And Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.” Genesis 4:1. 

The level of our relationship with God will determine the kind of fruit we will have in our life and relationship. If we have issues in our marital life, we should check our relationship with God and adjust.  

Practice the fruit of the Spirit: 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.  

We already have these fruits in us if we are God’s followers. We should cultivate them and start using them, not to pray asking God for the fruit of the Spirit; they are already in us. Most of the time, we pray a lot and do nothing. Most principles for successful marriage are in the book “The Bible”.  

“So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it—” Revelation 5:4. As long as the marriage manual “The Bible” is closed, pain, hurt and weeping in marriage will continue. If the marriage is not working, know that it is not God but us not working it. 

Right Philosophy: 

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2.  

There are a lot of wrong beliefs in our lives that we must delete. Inaccurate information will produce false beliefs, erroneous beliefs will create wrong thinking, wrong thinking will produce improper behavior, and unacceptable behavior and attitude will destroy marriage. “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” Romans 8:6. 

Walking in Wisdom: 

It is wise to practice God’s Words, be ruled by God’s Word, and allow God’s Word to be our light in our marriage relationship. We are all in a position to build our marriage or destroy it. Anytime we notice tensions in our marriage, it means wisdom has been ignored. A strong pillar to keep a marriage is wisdom. 

“Through wisdom, a house is built, and by understanding it is established;” Proverbs 24:3.  

The fruits of Love is seen in wisdom; remember, Love is not just feelings. “Love is patient. Love is kind. It does not envy it does not boast; it is not proud. It does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails”… 1 Corinthians 13:4.  

God will not force Himself on us, but it is a choice if we will be humble to learn from Him or do it our way. Our ways will not be the best.