Page 92 - Family Life Student Textbook

5. How are your other relationships and responsibilities affected?

D) Five practical steps for affirming your commitment to marriage

1. Get alone with God. Make this a regular habit. Spend time reading
God’s Word and praying.

2. Make sure you are right with God. Confess any sins and humble
yourself before Him. Relinquish all rights to your life to God.

Psalm 66:18 “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would
not have listened.”

3. If you are troubled by fears of doubts, write them down in a list. Honestly evaluate each one by asking
yourself, “Is this fear the result of legitimate questions in my mind? Does it merely demonstrate a lack of
trust in God’s direction?”

Discus your doubts and concerns with your partner. Then ask yourself, “Did my partner receive or resist my
concerns? Is my partner open to correcting these relationship problems? Is my partner willing and able to
give and ask for forgiveness?”

4. If you decide that it is not God’s will for you to marry, it is essential that you make a clean break.
Remember, a broken relationship is better than a broken marriage! We strongly suggest that there be no
communication for six months. If after that time you think God may be leading you back together, you
should seek wise counsel before re-establishing contact.

5. If you decide that it is God’s will for you to marry ask him to confirm His will during the upcoming weeks
or months. His Spirit will give you an inner confidence that you are headed in the right direction. Be honest
with yourself, obedient to God, and open to do what is right.

6. Remember that God’s will is ultimately known by faith.

Hebrews 11:6 “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes
to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

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