Week 94: 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, 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 something other than a person, such as 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 to the marriage when a third party shows inappropriate attention to one's marriage partner even though that partner may be above reproach or 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 experiences 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 violations 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 arise
  • 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

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Week 329: Marriages and a Workaholic Spouse

-
Please join us this week in praying for marriages dealing with the workaholic tendencies of a spouse. A workaholic is often defined as one who works compulsively. When a workaholic is in a marriage, his/her compulsive tendencies can create serious difficulties. Examples of issues brought about by a workaholic spouse are a low degree of spousal interaction, limited emotional connection, an absence of sexual intimacy and insufficient opportunities to enjoy common interests, all of which can lead to loneliness and isolation. It is no wonder the spouse of a workaholic can become convinced he/she is not cherished or valued by the work-driven spouse. All needs, interests and dreams take second place to the workaholic’s job. When children are involved, stresses increase even more as the workaholic habitually misses significant events and family functions, leaving the spouse to be the children’s sole support and forcing the spouse to explain away the workaholic’...
Read more
-
Well, I have learned a little about Blogger page building, enough to be mostly satisfied with the design. I hopw to start posting again Monday. Thank you for following and mostly for praying for the marriages of the world.
Read more
-
There will be a short, I hope, hiatus in my Praying for Marriages blogs. Blogger has changed quite a bit, and thus I have lost the auto-formatting I have used for years. As soon I figure out how to use this new version of Blogger, I will continue the Praying for Marriages blogs. Thank you for praying for marriages. Just because my blog is taking a break, it does not mean you must take a break. Marriages in all situations need your intercession for them.
Read more