MAIN TEXT: Proverbs 15:1-4
MEMORY:
A soft answer turneth away wrath:
but grievous words stir up anger.(Pro.15:1)

Communication is the mortar that holds a relationship together; relationship crumbles when it breaks down. A lot of challenges that marriages experience is as a result of inadequate or a breakdown in communication between partners. The more you communicate, the more connected you are.
You must understand that communication is not just about talking. Your spouse may transfer essential messages to you through attitude, facial expressions, body language and even silence. Communication may also often be physical. Your spouse can convey a message of affection by gently touching your hand, but if he squeezes your hand to the point of pain, he will be conveying a negative message. In fact, if you want to be an effective communicator, you have to pay close attention to what your partner is telling you through his moods, attitudes, gestures, movements, and actions. We shall be looking at some of those factors that lead to the breakdown of communication in marriage.
Pride.
When there are offences and either the husband or wife feels too important to make the first move to communicate or feels too important to respond to moves from the spouse, it may lead to the breakdown of communication.

Unforgiveness.
Inability to forgive may lead to hatred which effectively reduces positive communication to the barest minimum in marriage.

Retaliation.
The determination to retaliate when your spouse has offended you may lead you to steps which may kill communication in marriage. Never forget Romans 12:19;
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Ignorance.
Often, many don’t know that when you don’t know implications of lack of communication in your home, you may embark on it ignorantly not knowing that it may pass a death sentence on your marriage.

Misunderstandings.
When you find it difficult to understand each other or your discussions often lead to conflict, your partner may refrain from communicating with you in the bid to avoid conflicts.

An angry man stirreth up strife,
and a furious man aboundeth in transgression.(Pro.29:22)
To avoid such situation in marriage, you must do everything possible to avoid miscommunication. Make yourself clear whenever you are passing across a message and ensure that you understand the message your spouse is passing across to you to avoid miscommunication.

The importance of communication in marriage cannot be overemphasized. Lack of it make a home to be at a level that no member of the family including the children enjoys. Don’t forget that when your spouse is not enjoying communication with you, he or she may get involved with a member of the opposite sex who is able to connect better with him or her through communication and that in turn has the capacity to destroy your home. Consequently, if you desire a strong union with your spouse, you must do everything possible to keep communication alive.


DISCUSSION POINTS WITH YOUR SPOUSE
• Which are the factors affecting smooth communication in your marriage?
• What steps can you take to improve communication with your spouse?

PRAYER
Father, help us in this home to communicate appropriately to continually strengthen our marriage in Jesus’ name.

QUOTABLE QUOTE
COMMUNICATION IS THE MORTAR THAT HOLDS RELATIONSHIP TOGETHER; DON’T WEAKEN YOUR UNION. – Dr. Mike Oluniyi

Please follow, share and like us: