“Are Couples Connecting in this Crisis?”
The Coronavirus has caused many to be in the house more than ever before. We were accustomed to being able to come and go from day to day but not anymore. A husband and a wife would normally leave each other to go to work. Children were normally out of the house and gone to school. Our lives, routines and schedules have all been changed because of the Coronavirus. We are certainly experiencing a crisis! Although this information can be applied to those who are single and married, this week I am focusing on married couples.
Some couples are connecting, but many are fighting, considering divorce and are not getting along during this crisis. Perhaps there were issues that were already present and the Coronavirus situation has made it worst. So instead of drawing closer to each other, some couples are disconnecting in the midst of the crisis.
We are strongly being encouraged to stay in the house as much as possible. This means that people who are usually not in each other’s presence for long periods of time are being forced to be in the same house, longer than usual. Can we just get along? (smile) I know that we have been told to be socially distant (and we should obey the law) but as a married couple, we need to stay connected and maintain a level of closeness that nourishes the institution of marriage.
Here are four ways that couples need to stay connected during the crisis:
- Spiritually – The first person that a couple should be daily connecting with is God. Yes you can connect individually but it is so important to seek God together. A couple that prays together, stays together. Marriage takes work and each time that a husband and wife pray together they are inviting God into their marriage, acknowledging that they need God. Prayer is a powerful tool that keeps couples close to God and to each other. In addition to prayer couples can incorporate Bible reading, praise and worship to draw closer to God.
- Mentally – What’s on your mind? Check our thought life. So many of our problems start in the mind. What kind of thoughts are you thinking about your spouse? Are they good or bad, positive or negative? Your thought life could be the very thing that damages your marriage relationship. Philippians 4:8 says; “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”
- Emotionally – How are you emotionally? Are you happy, sad, angry, fearful, disgusted, etc? Your emotions affect the way that you treat your spouse, children and others. Depending upon how you are processing the Coronavirus, working from home, homeschooling, multi-tasking, social distancing and all of the changes that we are experiencing, your emotions may not be good. If this is the case, you need to be able to communicate with your mate and share what you are feeling.
- Physically – I realize that some are having to be physically distant from their spouse for safety and health reasons. However, if this is the case, you must fight to maintain a closeness in other ways. Talk on the phone, face time, send a text, write a love letter, etc. On the other hand, some couples are able to be physically close and in each other’s space. If so, value and treasure this time. Enjoy each other’s company by having a date in your house, playing games, cooking a meal together, watching a movie together, going for a walk or exercising together etc. You may never have this kind of time together again. Look for ways to serve each other.
It is my prayer that couples stay connected and stay together. With God ALL things are possible (Matthew 19:26). The goal is to connect spiritually, mentally, physically and emotionally. No matter what you are going through, God is able! Be encouraged and know that God will see us through these unprecedented times!
Until next week. . . .
Carolyn
Marriage from A to Z 