A Happy and Healthy Marriage

Introduction Marriage is something very beautiful that God created, and it is one of the sacraments of the church. Therefore, we must pay close attention to it because of the meaning it holds within society. It has often been said that healthy marriages create healthy families, and healthy families create a healthy society. And if there is health in the family, then consequently, there will be health in the church. However, marriage requires work to keep it alive and healthy. If spouses are not willing to work on their marriage, then all the efforts the church makes to support them will be of little use. The people most interested in the well-being of the couple should be the couple themselves. Marriage lives under constant threat and is being attacked with the goal of destroying it. Nevertheless, God’s original plan from the creation of marriage was for spouses to be together forever. But what has happened over the years? Marriage has been shaken by the different religious, philosophical, and cultural currents of all times, and it has fallen into a state of decay from which it has not been able to recover. This is without even mentioning Satan’s attack to destroy the work of God. That is why marriage has gradually been losing its integrity and purpose. Surveys have found that the United States leads the list of countries with the highest divorce rate. Various studies on divorces in that country show that approximately between 40% and 50% of marriages end in divorce. In reality, this means that for every two marriages that begin, one ends badly. The most alarming news is that, according to recent surveys, the divorce rate will continue to rise. Currently, there are 20 million divorced people in the United States. And if this trend continues, the country will maintain its first-place position in the coming years. According to surveys, 41% of all first marriages end in divorce. This figure rises to 60% for second marriages and 73% for third marriages. Statistics also reveal that money is the most common reason for divorce, followed by infidelity. Then come lack of communication, misunderstandings, work differences, abusive behavior, failed expectations, sexual incompatibility, addictions, and many other causes. The worst part is that this is also happening in the church. Today, like never before, divorce is being seen in our congregations, and it seems to be becoming increasingly common. That is why we must pay close attention to this problem. I hope this book allows you to look at yourself as if in a mirror: that you may recognize the virtues you have as a couple, but also the areas where you need to work. The book A Healthy and Happy Marriage aims to present the reader with a Christian perspective on marriage and a preventive approach, precisely to help marriages avoid going through the many problems that lead to their destruction. The first chapter deals with the great blessing of marriage. It emphasizes the difference between a single person and a married person. In addition, the reader will learn about the benefits of being married and the disadvantages of not being so. It also stresses the importance of understanding marriage in order to live it better. The second chapter emphasizes the creation and purpose of marriage. It explains the theological foundations of its formation and how God established it from the dust of the earth. Likewise, it details the purposes of the Creator, which include companionship, collaboration, union and communion, the formation of the family, and the continuation of the human race. The third chapter addresses a fundamental topic in our time: the nature of marriage, for “male and female He created them.” It emphasizes the differences between man and woman (physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological) and teaches how couples should learn to live with those differences. The fourth chapter deals with the things that damage marriage. It focuses on issues such as lack of dialogue, lack of respect, selfishness, and lack of preparation, among others. It also presents a study on jealousy in marriage and the damage it causes in the relationship. The fifth chapter teaches the spouse about the importance of learning to observe the signs in marriage. It emphasizes that each spouse should “read” their marriage to understand its true condition and work on the areas that need attention. The sixth chapter teaches about conflict resolution in marriage. It is a fascinating chapter because it explains what conflicts are, their causes, and how they can be resolved peacefully. The seventh chapter addresses a very necessary but often neglected topic: the sexual relationship in marriage. It explores the importance of sex in the couple, its different facets, the benefits of a healthy sexual life, and offers a biblical study on the subject. The eighth chapter deals with crisis in marriage, specifically adultery, the terrible nature of that experience, and the collateral damage it causes to the couple, the family, and the person’s ministry. Finally, the last chapter presents how to have a healthy and happy marriage. It teaches about the pillars that sustain marriage and how each one of them can make a difference: putting God first, keeping love alive, communication, understanding, collaboration, and the constant commitment to work on the marriage.