What is Faith Focused Marriage Counseling?
What is Faith Focused Marriage Counseling?
Marriage counseling is a popular option for couples seeking to restore their relationship. If you and your spouse are truly committed to making your marriage work, seeking help from a counselor can make a big difference.
As a Christian, finding a faith-based marriage counselor can make it easier to feel comfortable in your sessions. Knowing your counselor has the same values and beliefs as you will help you and your spouse to open up and get back on the track of making Christ the center of your relationship.
But, aside from having a Christian counselor, what can you expect from faith-focused marriage counseling?
Based on Biblical Principles
The biggest difference between faith-focused marriage counseling and regular counseling is the “blueprint” for how your sessions will go.
Faith-focused counseling will use Biblical principles at the core of every session. That doesn’t mean that secular approaches can’t be incorporated, especially when it comes to communication exercises. But, the idea is to get back to the root of what God says marriage is supposed to be. Your counselor won’t stray away from those principles, making it more difficult for you to stray.
As a Christ-follower, that’s important. Often, it’s slipping away from those principles that causes problems in relationships, in the first place.
Faith-Based Values
In addition to using scripture as a foundation for therapy, faith-based counseling will also focus on Christian values like:
- Forgiveness
- Grace
- Unselfishness
- Kindness
- Mercy
Those are all actions that we are called to give others because Christ showed them to us. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to be forgiving, gracious, unselfish, or even kind in a marriage. That’s especially true when times are difficult.
By being reminded why these values are important, you can start to reincorporate them into your relationship. That doesn’t mean your problems as a couple will immediately go away. It does mean, however, that you can respond to them differently.
For example, if your spouse says or does something that is hurtful, you should absolutely talk to them about it and express how you feel. But, you should also forgive them and show grace. When you start to make those things priorities in your marriage, it can ease a lot of pain and tension between you and your spouse.
Your Own Spiritual Struggles
Faith-focused marriage counseling will, of course, focus on how to strengthen your relationship. But, it may also focus on your spiritual struggles as individuals. No one is perfect, and it’s normal to struggle with sin.
Unfortunately, your personal spiritual issues could be contributing to the downfall of your marriage. Bringing those struggles into the light and opening up about them isn’t easy. But, it’s often necessary if you truly want things to work.
You might be surprised by how much talking about your spiritual difficulties can make a difference. Getting that weight off of your chest can make it easier for you to fight back against spiritual warfare. You’ll recognize that it doesn’t have to be as powerful and controlling as it has been.
As a result, you’ll be stronger and more equipped to fight for your marriage, as well.
Is Faith-Focused Marriage the Best Option for You?
You don’t necessarily have to be religious to benefit from a faith-focused marriage intensive. However, if you are a Christ-follower, choosing a counselor with the same beliefs can make a difference.
If you want Christ to be at the center of your relationship (where He should be), consider working with a faith-focused counselor. Sometimes, all it takes is a little redirection and reminders from scripture to get back on track, and see the true beauty of your marriage as a gift from God.
Contact me to see how a faith-focused marriage intensive with The Connected Marriage could help you.
Call 623-680-3486, text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com and mention your interest in a Christian marriage intensive.
Our offices throughout the Valley of the Sun including Phoenix, Anthem, and Scottsdale. Christian couples throughout all of Arizona and across the United States have attended our Christian marriage intensives.
Couples from out of Arizona are welcome to attend one of our intensives. Contact us for more information.