"CAN THIS MARRIAGE BE SAVED?"

By Dr. Harold J.Sala

Marriage burn-out is a condition which exists when a marriage suffers from stress, busyness and wrong priorities. In chess when you are confronted with stalemate, no one wins or losses, you just can't move. In marriage when you have a "stalemate", you are in big trouble. Burn-out is a prelude to the devastating consequences of a broken home and a broken heart. When the fire goes out of romance, can anything be done?

Long ago, God addressed the issue of our first love growing cold. The context was that of a church which over a period of 30 to 40 years lost its first love for the Lord. But the formula which God gave them to restore love is exactly what is needed when the fire goes out in a marriage.

GUIDELINE #1. REMEMBER. Take inventory, remembering how you met, remembering your first date, your first kiss, walking down the aisle, remembering your first child and the joy that came to you is good medicine for a loveless marriage.

GUIDELINE#2. REPENT. That means change your attitude. Give up the hostility,the"holier than thou" mindset that makes you the innocent victim. Forget who is wrong and strive to make a wrong right.

GUIDELINE#3. RETURN AND DO YOUR FIRST WORKS. Can you fall in love again with someone who has fallen out of love with you? It can happen gradually the same way it happened the first time.

Have I described your marriage today? A coldness has chilled your home. Things are mechanical and perfunctory. You respond out of duty or obligation, not passion and feeling. Ask God to touch your hearts and with hands closed together, pray for a renewal. Remembering, repenting and returning is still the answer to marriage burnout.

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