Marriage Course - September 4, 2012

Day 18 - Conflict Resolution

Marriage

Why is some conflict inevitable in every marriage?
• we are different-different backgrounds, priorities, desires, personalities, opinions
• no good trying to force our partner to do things our way
• must see ourselves as being on the same side (3-legged race)
• we are naturally self-centered
• need to ask ourselves, "Are there ways I need to change for the sake of our partnership?"

Question:Does the inevitability of conflict in marriage surprise you? Why? How does it challenge or affirm your approach to conflict?

From Series: "Marriage"

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  • we’re not incompatible unless we refuse to change
  • we can change ourselves; we cannot change each other
  • we can only change when we know what matters to each other
  • we must tell each other what frustrates and hurts us
  • much conflict arises from our different assumptions about the way things should be
  • important to be aware of our own and each other’s values (often learned during our upbringing)
  • requesting change is helpful; demanding change is harmful

Complete the worksheet below.  Even if you don’t have children today, complete it if you intend to have children in the future: