"Useless man, stupid man! Your mates are out there doing big things for their family and you're here talking trash", she said to her husband in the heat of their argument. The insults went on from both sides and as the wife couldn't cool her raging fire, the husband somewhat turned the tide in a different dimension. "Paa!...gbaa!...gboo!..." were the corresponding sounds of hot slaps, blows and kicks that almost took her out if not for the timely arrival of neighbours, yet she held on to his shirt and muttered: "you'll kill me today, you must kill me today oo!" Meanwhile, I watched this ugly incidence helplessly and wondered why most marriages often suffer this fate.

Hmmm! Marriage is meant to be enjoyed, not endured. The fact that two completely different individuals are coming together as one is an indication that conflict of interests and misunderstandings are unavoidable. Still, it is in this regard that marriages thrive; merging as one means agreeing to live and grow together irrespective of each person's flaws or inadequacies. But haughtiness and ego are some downsides of our human nature, and rather than engage in a shameful physical combat, it's best to seek other alternatives.

Over time, it has been observed that the causes of fights or separation in a family are drawn from one source: the unguarded wandering of the tongue. The tongue is a powerful tool that causes harm or good wherever it's deployed (Prov. 10:19; 18:21, Jam. 3: and it's no surprise the Holy Scriptures seldom ascribe this potency to women (Prov. 21:19; 27:15-16) [no disrespect please]. Should there be an occurence of likely face-offs, it then calls for a moment of bravery and humility from either or both parties. What shall it profit you to quarrel and lose your peace of mind, joy, friendship and even your home eventually? Couples must realize that marital success is mostly hinged on the ability to serve and honour each other in order to achieve a common goal (1 Pet. 3:1,7, Eph. 5:25-33, Jn. 13:4-17) and it only works through humility/submissiveness (2 Chr. 7:14a, Col. 3:12, 1 Pet. 5:6).

Instead of blaming the [poor, innocent] devil for your mistakes like most Africans would always do, why not take responsibility and mend your home? I believe the youths and unmarried ones can take a cue from this as well. Shalom.

#MaritalBliss
#BriddleThyTongue
#LoveAboveAll
#ChristAndTheChurch
#JesusTheSolidRock