Danger! Check Your Marriage!

Well today I received a dismal email from a friend who has informed me her marriage is dissolving and they are filing for divorce. Now here's the thing: this couple has been married longer than we have ...probably close to 40 years! We are dearly grieved and in shock because you would think that after surviving all the major hurdles of learning each others triggers, raising a family, financial strains, work schedules etc. that this time in their lives would be easier and more restful. Not so! The enemy obviously has been hard at work as they seem unable to forgive, forget and practice self-control...holding their tongues and guarding their thoughts.
I just researched some interesting data at this web site
http://www.religioustolerance.org/chr_dira.htm and unfortunately Christian marriages may actually be more vulnerable to divorce that other groups. Now I am sure there are other sites and studies that would dispute this finding, but the reason for this particular blog (other than to vent my frustration and sadness) is simply to point out that no matter how long you have been married, how old you are, how well you know scripture or the LORD, how wealthy, how anything, protecting your marriage is done with due diligence. Stay vigilante and make sure you and your spouse are on the same page the majority of the time. Talk openly, clear the air, don't let issues simmer and grow. I know for us, that what my spouse and I have learned most of all is true forgiveness, and true self-control of our actions and tongue is something that must be practiced on a daily, sometimes minute by minute basis.
Easy? Hardly! Doable? Only with the grace of God and His Holy Power!
So as a loving friend, or relative to you my reader, please do me a favor today...talk with your spouse. Take your marriage's pulse, blood pressure, and temperature. Never take it for granted! Please. I am heartbroken for this couple that I love and I can't imagine what their adult children are feeling. We are praying for them, have offered our assistance, and we know that the LORD can do all things, so we can always hope for changed hearts. Thanks for reading this. Now, this minute, remember all the wonderful things about your spouse that made you decide to marry him and immediately go tell your spouse how much you love and appreciate him!