Read

Genesis 2:24, ” Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.”

Think

When nearly 50% of new marriages are destined for doom within approximately 8.2 years, and a good portion of the remaining 50% run the gamut from being in constant crisis mode to the monotony of do-what-ya-gotta-do-to-get-through-it to those couples who seem just “too perfect” to be true, it’s pretty safe to say that our nation is amid cultural crisis within the most critical earthly relationship — marriage is crucial for social stability! So, what’s to blame for this rapid decline? Too many are doing it every way other than sticking to the original designer’s master marital plan — God! And His way works!

In fact, God wastes no time in Scripture setting the precedent for this not always happy, but holy union. No sooner than He provided Adam a fairer-sexed companion did he present His plan. In Genesis 2:24, we see God’s genius marital math formula: One man and one woman leave home and become one flesh (1 + 1 = 1 ). Here’s the unpopular caveat: Becoming “one flesh” is to only occur after sacredly vowing “for better or worse until death do we part.” Or, more bluntly — no sex until marriage!)

But here’s what most problematic marriages don’t realize — the number one leading cause of divorce isn’t infidelity, abuse, addiction, or financial stress. 43% of marriages end due to incompatibility! The everyday things that even the most dynamic, thriving couples argue about are the same things that cause far too many to call it quits.

So what’s the secret to marital success? Nothing else provides better odds of stability, stick-ability, and capability to thrive than a marriage anchored in the unconditional, sacrificial love of Christ. How can we extend God’s amazing love towards our spouse and others? We tap into our self-awareness by seizing on seven vital abilities God gave us to enhance self-awareness, the ability to recognize our own shortcomings. We do this by noticing:

What we see
What we hear
What we smell
What we taste
What we think
What we feel inside
What we touch tangibly

The moment we choose to stop and turn back from self-hatred and Satan’s distortion of who we were created to be, we begin to heal in every way, especially when it comes to the sacred seriousness and work involved to make marriages last by being aligned with God’s master plan for woman and man. So, no matter what box you check when it comes to your current relational status: Married, Single, Divorced, Widowed, or “It’s complicated,” we can all be better when we take a census of our seven God-given senses because it makes sense when we seek to not merely survive in marriage and the other crucial relationships in our lives but to thrive in light of God’s master plan for every woman and man!

Act

Take a census of your senses! Today, simply take notice of the seven senses listed above and thank God for the ability to experience such unique flavors, sights, sounds, etc.

Pray

Heavenly Father, Thank You for taking the initiative to express Your love to me. Help me love my spouse and others as You love — unconditionally and without judgment. In Jesus’ name, Amen.