| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | him better. |
| Do you think that relationships automatically develop | | | | 3. LACK OF SHOW OF AFFECTION — we are |
| into mature partnerships? They do, if both partners | | | | social people. We interact with each other. One of |
| are willing to work at it. And yes, there is work | | | | the best ways to relay our feelings and concerns is a |
| involved. | | | | gentle touch, a warm hug, a peck in the cheek and |
| However, there are several reasons why relationships | | | | other means of showing our affection. It is important |
| don’t work well. We will put in here just five | | | | to say You know that I love you
to the |
| of those biggest reasons. | | | | person dearest to you. However you need to also to |
| 1. FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE MORE — in | | | | show your love outwardly one way or another. For |
| any relationship, communication is essential. One | | | | example, I make it a point to kiss my wife goodbye |
| needs to let the other person know what is in his or | | | | every time I leave for work. Affection brings warmth |
| her mind. We cannot keep on second-guessing the | | | | and closeness to each other. |
| other person. Open communication even becomes | | | | 4. RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE NOT GOD |
| critical so as not to misunderstand each other. | | | | CENTERED — Christians look at the phrase |
| Problems arise when one partner expects the other | | | | Put God first in your Life. Christians believe |
| to read his or her mind and you will agree with me | | | | that GOD is LOVE and experience His immense love. |
| that this is close to impossible. | | | | With the awareness of putting God in the |
| My wife for example is an introvert. In our 1st years | | | | relationship, we elevate that relationship into a higher |
| of marriage whenever she gets angry she just keeps | | | | plane, a higher level. This is an INCREDIBLE way of |
| quiet all the time and I get frustrated because it was | | | | enhancing the relationship. Trust, concern, caring, |
| like I was talking to a wall. But later she too realized | | | | being kind, forgiveness etc. naturally follows with this |
| that it was necessary for her to communicate and | | | | awareness that God is around, guiding the relationship. |
| express herself in order to reconcile and put the | | | | 5. ABSENCE OF FRIENDSHIP — |
| unity back between us. We must also seek to be a | | | | we’re lovers, not friends as a saying |
| listener and have an attitude like this: I want to | | | | goes. But let’s face it, being married for say, 7 |
| understand her so that I can know why she thinks | | | | years would make any couple fall from the |
| and feels that way. | | | | romantic’ state and settle to a dry |
| 2. SELFISHNESS - difficult as this may sound but | | | | relationship. But keeping in mind that you were |
| when we are self-centered, we tend to dismiss the | | | | friends before you got married and that you did |
| other person’s feelings and say anything we | | | | things that you had in common, you can press the |
| want to say to suit our moods. To be | | | | refresh button and build that friendship. I |
| outward-looking is to be concerned of the feelings of | | | | found out that my wife IS my BEST FRIEND. |
| the other person. You can ask yourself Did I | | | | Make the first move TODAY; don’t fall for |
| make him happy today or did I hurt his feelings? | | | | the biggest reasons why relationships don’t |
| Most of the time because of pride we tend to hurt | | | | work. Instead, communicate, be unselfish, show your |
| the other. In order to maintain unity in a relationship, | | | | affection, think of God and be the best friend to |
| we need to remove our pride. How? By thinking and | | | | your partner. You’ll be amazed with the |
| caring more for the other person and trying to serve | | | | results! |