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Marital Relations

Marriage is a crucible for human intimacy and depth. While marriage is an institution that provides some order for sexual practices, child rearing, and legal rights, it is also a complex receptacle of human communication and personal growth. In its deepest expression, marriage is a covenant where faith, hope and love are explored and reflected to the world.

There are many problems that keep the covenant from being realized. We are human beings, and our immaturities and foibles can delimit our successes. Marriage tends to carry some unrealistic expectations with its participants. When those expectations are not realized, grief comes. Moreover, there are many differences in marriage, and adjustments to differences are frequently difficult.

A marriage license, vows uttered to clergy and congregational witnesses do not guarantee marital success. Like human beings, marriages go through stages. Marital preparation and follow through are crucial. Like the foundation of a house the first year hopefully can be solid and secure because it shapes the building of the future. Some think that the years of marriage divided by "5" or "7" typically bring pressure and stress. At these times faith is tested and new resources may be needed.

One resource that can deepen faith and fortify hope is pastoral marital therapy. Couples seeking this specialized ministry typically bring concerns about communication, birth families, conflict management and decision-making, care for a child or aging parent, life transitions, unfaithfulness, dual careers, sexuality and finances. Spouses facing these circumstances often need to redefine the mission of their marriage, clarify expectations and learn new ways to dream and plan together. If your marriage is riding stormy seas or you want to make a good marriage better, you have an anchor at Pastoral Counseling Centers of Tennessee.

Call one of the pastoral counseling centers and make an initial appointment to assess the problem and determine a suitable treatment response. Assessment can be done in 2 to 6 sessions, and treatment can be focused over a period of weeks or months.

For more information on marital relations, try these web sites:
www.aamft.org/families/index.htm
hwmin.gbgm-umc.org/conferences/me-incOH/main.asp.

To contact the nearest Pastoral Counseling Center in your area click here.