Topic: How to Avoid Communication Breakdown (4)
Dear Reader,
You are welcome to this glorious week. It is my great privilege to share the Word of God with you, and I believe that the truth of His Word will set you free.
I have been discussing on communication as one of the great blocks that you need to build your marriage and home. The foundation of understanding what communication actually means was laid and the different ways of communicating were discussed. You can communicate verbally and non-verbally.
Sometimes, your actions could speak louder than your words. But in all, you need to understand that the essence of communicating is for your spouse to understand your ideas and your plans, in order to avoid misunderstanding. Furthermore, I shed light on some attitudes that you can put up, which can block your effective communication.
This week, I shall conclude this series by discussing on “How to Avoid Communication Breakdown!”
The Bible says: Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people. Cast up, cast up the highway! Gather out the stones. Lift up a standard or ensign over and for the peoples (Isaiah 62:10 AMP). There is a highway that is already prepared for your marriage; you must gather out the stones so that your path can be smooth. There is an adage that says, “Prevention is better than cure.” Therefore, as I go through these preventive measures I see God multiplying His grace upon you.
- Avoid Argument: Argument is defined as a process of disagreement with an idea. Whatever is the case, in the process of communication, never allow it to degenerate into an argument. If you do, you are opening the door to the devil. For many people, winning an argument is more important than winning the hearts of their spouses. But as a wise man once said, “the more arguments you win, the farther apart from each other you become.” The most important thing is to realise that there is always two sides to an issue. Whatever the opinion or perspective of your spouse, you must remember that we are all entitled to our own opinions.
Furthermore, if for any reason you sense that an argument is about to ensue, leave the matter till another time. Communicate your opinion to your Heavenly Father in prayer and ask for right words, correct timing and approach to bring up the issue. But never quarrel! He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he (Proverbs 16:20). If your conversation always ends in an argument, a gulf is being created between both of you. If it is not handled on time, it can totally separate you.
- Avoid bottling up: Sweeping issues under the carpet is as dangerous as a green snake under the green grass. When grievances are not aired, an explosion is inevitable someday. When a bottle of Coca-Cola is shaken repeatedly over a period of time, it bursts open. So many couples have burst out in anger and behaved unexpectedly. Therefore, it becomes very important for couples to ensure that nothing comes between them that are not sorted out. The Bible says: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27).
If you desire effective communication in your home, the right place to begin from is a personal relationship with God, through Jesus Christ. If you want to start this relationship right now, you can say this prayer: “Dear Lord Jesus, I come to You today acknowledging that I am a sinner who needs Your forgiveness. I believe You died for me and rose again on the third day. Forgive me my sins, wash me with Your Blood and write my name in the Lamb’s Book of life. Thank You Lord for saving me.”
Congratulations, you are now born-again! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored).
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.