Minister: Pastor Sunday Adebamiro
Text: Acts 3: 1-8
Topic: Overcoming Barriers to High Performing Relationships and Marriages (Part 2)
Now Peter and John went up together to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms from those who entered the temple; who, seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, asked for alms. And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, “Look at us.” So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them—walking, leaping, and praising God. (Acts 3:1-8 NKJV)
As we stated in the first service, when your marriage is working fine, it can be like heaven on earth; where however your marriage or relationship is not working as it should, it can be like hell on earth. When you don’t have peace in your marriage and relationship, most times, all other aspects of your life suffer for it. According to the scriptures, the first institution that the devil attacked is marriage and thousands of years down the line, he has not yet changed his tactic. He still attacks marriages.
Barriers to Successful Relationships and Marriage
During the first service, we covered
- Childhood Dysfunction
- Unwillingness to Change
- Lack of reciprocity: This is the law of give and take. Love and service should never be one sided. Everyone needs help but never stay a victim. Anywhere you are, add value in your own little way. Do not retain the wrong identity of marriage and relationship you picked from your home and environment. Marriage and relationship can only thrive where both parties are conscious about abandoning negative patterns picked up from their childhood. You must do your best to match your partner’s energy in your marriage or relationship. Learn to anticipate and meet your partner’s needs. Learn to add value.
- Boredom: As believers, we must make conscious effort at switching things and spice up things in our relationship and marriage. Monotony weakens the fabric of marriage and relationship. Life is beautiful, enjoy it. Do not get used to doing things the same way you have always done it, change the game. Sometimes, be unpredictable, do unusual things and spice up your marriage. Make the relationship or marriage exciting. Do not bore your partner, add some spice. Be dynamic and innovative. Even when you do the same things, over the years, do it differently.
