“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us” (Rom 8:37 KJV).
In a survey of couples experiencing mid-life crisis, the following traits were listed as crucial keys to holding their marriages together:
1. A commitment to stay married and to keep their marriage as a high priority.
2. The ability to communicate
3. A personal spiritual life
4. The ability to resolve conflicts
5. Relationships with other people
6. Sexual intimacy
7. Sharing fun, leisure, and humor
8. Realistic expectations
9. Serving each other and sharing leadership
10.Growing personally
You don’t have to have a crisis if you know what the Word has to say. But there are a few practical things you can do to help take the crisis out of mid-life crisis:
Identify the seed problem. The feelings that surface in MLC are usually the by-product of a deeper problem.
Communicate your needs. Tell your spouse, “Honey, we got married so early that I never got to finish college. I would really like to go back to school.” It may surprise you to find that when you communicate your needs, your spouse will be in agreement with you.
Fill the void. Do something to make up for the deficit or sense of lack that you’re feeling in your life. After you identify the seed problem, you need to decide what to do about it.
Maintain proper balance. Always strive for balance in your life. Stay on the middle road. Be extra supportive of your spouse and seek to continually grow with him or her personally, not just spiritually.
Reinforce spiritual skills. Reinforce your personal spiritual life. Your spiritual life is the thread that keeps everything in place.
Following these steps will help in maintaining a happy marriage as you go through mid life. For every challenge in life, God has designed a way for you to win. Remember, for Christians mid-life doesn’t have to be a crisis.
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 10:13
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Pastor Deborah L. Butler is the first lady Word of Faith International Christian Centre located in Southfield, Michigan where she serves in ministry with her husband, Bishop Keith A. Butler.
Pastor Deborah is a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel. Her encouraging, yet down-to-earth teaching imparts wisdom from the Word of God into all that hear her speak. One of Pastor Butler’s many duties is serving as the Director of the Women of Virtue Ministry. Pastor Deborah is often called to travel to other ministries to teach and admonish women to walk in the wisdom of God, and to experience peace in every area of their lives.