All the picture frames at the store show couples who are smiling, happy, and madly in love. A lot of people think a “picture frame marriage” is something that happens to “the lucky people”. In their minds, those “lucky couples” are always happy, always have those “in love” feelings, and seldom have problems.
But is a “picture frame” marriage what a strong, healthy and happy marriage really is? How do you describe what a happy marriage is? What are your views about having a happy marriage? Is it a matter of luck, or does it take something else?
Relationships are seldom stagnant. They are always changing. Sometimes, they change for the worse, but with some effort, they can change for the better. “Growing as a Team” means both of you, as a couple, take the steps to care for and nurture your relationship so that your picture frames are filled with photos of a genuinely happy marriage – Yours!
Some of the ways CoupleTalk helps couples grow as a team include:
Listening with Empathy
- listening in a way that shows strong interest
- setting aside your own views and “becoming” your partner
- Naming out loud your partner’s thoughts, feelings, concerns and desires
Expressing Yourself
- start by telling your partner what’s good about their perspective
- speak from your own point of view (“I” messages)
- talk about your own thoughts, feelings, concerns and desires
CoupleTalk helps couples grow closer by “cracking the code” to communicate and handle conflicts in ways that build up your relationship. You don’t have to stay the same – you can learn the skills to have the marriage that God intended!
Let us not get tired of doing what is right, for after a while we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t get discouraged and give up – Galatians 6:9
For more info about CoupleTalk (www.coupletalk.polus.io)