MAIN TEXT: Pro.24:16-18.
For a righteous man may fall seven times
And rise again,…(Prov.24:16a)

One major fact of life which is so real in marriage is that the journey is not always that of continuous success. It is important to know that one of the major matters that arise in marital finances is the management of failure. I read a story recently of a man who committed suicide together with his wife and children in America. He was a very brilliant boy while at school and while in the university too, he broke all records and went on to have his MBA, after which he got a good job. He then got married to a beautiful lady and they acquired a big five-bedroom home and several luxury cars. Everything went well until there was an economic downturn that affected his company which resulted in him being laid off. Due to the luxury lifestyle that he was used to, he and his wife could not face the embarrassment of losing their house and scaling down their living style. It was mutually agreed that they should commit suicide. The man shot his wife, children and then finally killed himself.

There is need for couples to understand the need for learning not just how to manage success but to manage setbacks. It is critical for your marriage to succeed, that you learn how to manage setbacks because the unexpected often occur in marriage. Please take note of the following as they may help you to acquire the right mindset about setbacks:
• Never allow the devil to make you lose hope. Losing hope will make you to be blind to other alternative options.
• The story has not ended. Setback in any area of your life is not the end of your story; it is just a chapter in the story of your life. If your business fails, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you cannot succeed in another venture in future.
• Failure in an area may open door in another area. Often, failure in one area may open another door of opportunity. Consequently, you should be on the lookout, as a closed door in one area may open another door which will lead to the same destination.
• Never abandon your family when experiencing setback. The devil may tell you that the best option for you is to abandon your family and escape. Never listen to such counsels.
• Remember that every problem has an expiry date. Though you don’t know when and how it will be resolved, believe that your God will do it. Don’t allow your life to be over before the problem is over.
• Try to imagine the worst case scenario and make up your mind that you will still survive it. If you have obtained a loan and the bank is threatening to take over your property, the fear of it alone may paralyze you. It is something I have experienced. However, if you are able to imagine the worst case scenario of the property being taken over, you may discover that it should not really be the end of your life. In most cases, the worst case scenario will not occur but the devil may use the fear of it to destroy your life.

Acquiring skills to manage setbacks are as important as the skills to manage success. Many have lost hope during the period of setbacks and done what they should never have done. Our scripture for today tells us that a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again. Never see a setback as the end. You will get out of it in Jesus’ name.

DISCUSSION POINTS WITH YOUR SPOUSE
• Have you experienced some challenges in your finances before and how did you manage the situation as a couple?

PRAYER
I shall get out of any financial challenges in Jesus’ name.



QUOTABLE QUOTE

HOWEVER TOUGH IT BECOMES IN MARRIAGE, CIRCUMSTANCES ADJUST FOR THOSE WHO ARE RESOLUTE IN KEEPING THEIR MARRIAGE. – Dr. Mike Oluniyi

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