Week 56: Marriages and Jealousy

Please join us this week in praying for marriages dealing with the issue of jealousy.  Jealousy can arise in a marriage in a number of ways.  The cause can be internal to the marriage such as when a spouse shows excessive or inappropriate attention to a person other than his/her spouse.  In fact, jealousy can arise if the same excessive attention is given to work or even a hobby.  Another cause of jealousy that arises internally in a marriage is low self-esteem or extreme possessiveness which sees every relationship a spouse has as a threat or competition.

Jealousy can also arise externally when a person outside the marriage show inappropriate attention to one's marriage partner even though that partner may be above reproach or even actively shuns the attention.

Another form of jealousy that can attack a marriage is that which arises because of differences in life situations.  Jealousy can crop up if one spouse has  good relationships with parents and siblings and the other spouse does not.  Also, jealousy can attack a marriage if one spouse has seemingly effortless career advancement and the other struggles just the stay employed.

Jealousy is particular damaging to marriages since it can easily lead to deeper problems such as excessive control, emotional coldness, distrust, fear, physical illness and even domestic violence.

Please pray with us that spouses dealing with the issue of jealousy will

• first evaluate their own heart and mind, making sure they are not turning innocence events into violation of trust
• be open and honest with each other concerning limits they are comfortable with 
• let each other know in a loving but straight-forward way when and why feelings of jealousy arises
• be willing to refrain from activities or relationships that could engender jealousy
• be knowledgeable and understanding of each other's areas of vulnerability
• show each other frequently, by words and deeds, that they are wholly committed to each other