Marriage Counseling

Tonight I began a series of Marriage Counseling sessions with a couple that will be married in August. Next Tuesday evening I will have the initial Marriage Counseling session for a second couple I will marry a week after the couple I met with tonight.

I've been reflecting on marriage counseling and here are a few of my thoughts after having conducted a number of counseling sessions:

• We insist on it as pastors, but what value, really, is it when during the entire course of counseling, the couple only have eyes for each other and are so full of each other?
• When we discuss some potential problem spots in their marriage, do they really take seriously the potential issues these problem spots could lead to?
• Sometimes I get the distinct impression that these couples agree to counseling because I insist on it in order to marry them. They are not particularly interested in it.
• Many couples don't have a clear Biblical understanding of marriage and how God speaks to the relationship between a godly husband and wife.
• In spite of my questions, I find that I always look forward to these sessions as a precious time of getting to know better each person approaching marriage.
• I look forward to dialoging with each couple what the Bible has to say about marriage.
• I'm energized by the enthusiasm for making their marriage work, that each couple generally brings to the sessions.
• And finally, on wedding day, I watch that new couple walk back out of the church as, "Mr. and Mrs." and I have high hopes that this particular marriage is one that will be committed to honoring God, due in part to the influence I as their pastor was able to bring to bear on their marriage relationship through the time spent with them in marriage counseling.

So, in spite of many questions, I actually look forward to these times of interaction with couples about to "tie the knot." And I pray that God keeps them safe from all the distractions this world will bring into their marriage.

I invite you to partner with me, by supporting me in prayer as I use these sessions to impart the truth of God's Word to two young couples excitedly looking forward to their wedding day in August.