RESTORING A SHATTERED MARRIAGE

INTRODUCTION:

First of all, it should be noted that marriage was the first institution established by God after creation as recorded in the Bible Hence, marriage is God’s design. Marriage as an institution have been passing through many challenges from inception, especially in our generation and today’s church. This is because Satan is hell bent on destroying all families and making sure they end up in hellfire- in retaliation against God for dethroning and casting him from heaven to the earth. The greatest weapon that Satan uses against families is that of deceit. That was what he used to send Adam and Eve packing out of the garden of Eden. He is using the same weapon of deceit to this present age. Unfortunately, many people do not consult the founder (God) for counsel before embarking on marriage. Such people suffer most in the hands of the devil and his cohorts.

God can restore any marriage. Matthew 19: 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, with men this impossible, but with God all things are possible.

CAUSES OF SHATTERED OR BROKEN MARRIAGE:

1. Lack of healthy communication: Proverb 15: 1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Colossians 4: 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one
2. Financial Issues Proverb 115: 16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord, than great treasure with trouble
   • Hebrew 13: 5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said:
   • never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.
   • Hebrew 13: 4 Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled, but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.
   • Exodos 20: 14 You shall not commit adultery.
3. Anger and Verbal Abuse:
   • Ephesians 4: 26 Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath
   • Colossians 3: 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
4. Unrealistic Expectations:
   • Proverb 13: 12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.
5. Stress and Anxiety:
   • 1Chronicles 16: 11 Look to the Lord and his strength, seek his face always.
6. Constant Conflicts:
   • Ephesians 5: 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself and the
   • wife must
   • rest respect her husband.
7. Spiritual bankruptcy:
   • Psalm 127: 1 Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who built it, unless the Lord guards the
   • city, the watchman stays awake in vain.
8. Biblical Principles for the restoration of Shattered marriage:
   • a. Forgiveness:
   • Ephesians 4: 22 And be kind to one another, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you
   • b. 1Peter 4: 8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins.
9. Love and Commitment:
   • 1Corinthians 13: 4-7 Love suffers long and is kind, love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up
   • Does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil
   • Does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth.
   • Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endured all things.
10. Seeking God Together:
    • Matthew 6: 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you
    • Matthew 18: 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.
11. Honest Communication:
    • Ephesians 4: 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ.
    • 1Corithians 16: 14 Let all that you do be done with love
    • Ephesians 4: 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
    • g. Faithfulness and Trust:
    • Proverb 31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her, so he will have no lack of gain. Proverb 3:3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
12. Peace and Unity:
    • Ephesians 4: 3 Endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace.
      • Romans 12: 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
13. h. Encouragement and Restoration:
    • Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.
    • Jeremiah 29: 11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
    • Psalm 34:18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.