6 Common Marriage Challenges and Ways to Resolving Them

Marriage is a beautiful journey filled with love, companionship, and shared experiences.

It is a Union of two persons ideally between a man and a woman to live together and bear children to make a family.

Most marriages are conducted by certain rites which are Christian, Islamic, Traditional, or by courts of competent jurisdiction.

This implies that some guiding principles must be obeyed for the smooth running of the marriage “Till death do us part”.

But this institution has not lived up to expectations, mostly in recent times when several challenges crop up in the marriage, culminating in a high number of divorces.

The high level of crisis in recent marriages leading to destabilized homes, hatred, and divorces has prompted the writing of this post to help in sanitizing this union instituted by Almighty God.

As a married partner of over thirty years and a counselor for would-be and married couples for years, the ideas expressed here would go a long way in addressing these challenges.

Like any human relationship, understanding the challenges that couples may face can help strengthen the bond and navigate through rough waters together.

Common challenges in Marriage and How To Fix Them

1. Communication Breakdown

Effective communication is crucial in any marriage. When communication breaks down, misunderstandings can arise, leading to conflicts and resentment.

It’s important for couples to actively listen to each other, express their feelings openly, and work towards finding common ground.

2. Financial Struggles

Money matters can be a significant source of stress in a marriage The love of money over your spouse is the basic root of disharmony in the union.

Disagreements over finances, differing spending habits, or unexpected expenses can strain the relationship.

Another source of financial stress in the marriage comes when the husband, who is supposed to be the breadwinner of the home, loses his source of income because of retirement or a decline in business.

The wife who may still have a brighter source of income should show understanding and fill the gap.

Creating a budget together, being transparent about financial goals, and finding compromises can help ease this challenge.

3. Intimacy Issues

Maintaining a healthy physical and emotional connection is essential for a successful marriage.

Intimacy issues, such as a lack of physical affection or differing sexual needs, can create distance between partners.

No partner should starve the other of lovemaking as the union is consummated by this expression. 

Some marriages start with a very tender passion, but after having children, politics comes into the home on who love the children most. 

This could divide the home and threaten the roots of the marriage.

Honest conversations, seeking professional help if needed, and prioritizing quality time together can help reignite the spark.

4. Trust Issues

Trust forms the foundation of a strong marriage. When trust is broken because of lies, infidelity, or other reasons, it’s difficult to rebuild.

Both partners need to be committed to rebuilding trust through honesty, transparency, and consistent actions that demonstrate reliability.

5. Balancing Work and Family

Finding a balance between work responsibilities and family time is a common challenge for many couples.

Long work hours, conflicting schedules, and parental duties can strain the relationship.

Examples of come-easy go-easy marriages are those of celebrities whose work schedule and pride cannot find compromise in the scheme of things.

Setting priorities, creating a schedule that works for both partners and carving out quality time for each other can help strike a balance.

6. Cultural Differences.

One of the major challenges in marriage in Africa is adaptability to the culture/s of the couple.

In some cases both partners may come from different cultural backgrounds and the fusion becomes incompatible.

In another case, the wife may look forward to a Western style of marriage which the husband or his family may not be prepared to accept, and verse versa.

Here, both parents of the couple must come to give honest parental counsel to their children on their cultural beliefs and the need to avoid extremities.

Empathy is a key phenomenon here by putting themselves in the other person’s shoes.

Seek Help

If you feel really stuck, there’s no shame in asking for a bit of outside help.

A good marriage counselor can provide neutral guidance to help you both get on the same page.

For some couples, spiritual counsel from a religious mentor provides meaningful support too.

If all else fails, your parents have probably been there and dealt with similar issues in their own marriages.

A dose of wisdom from loved ones can shed new light on the situation.

Conclusion

Keeping your marriage on track is actual work, let’s be real – even the happiest marriages hit some speed bumps along the way.

But a few minor challenges don’t have to derail your union.

With a little patience, honesty, and understanding from both of you, you can get things back on the right track. 

The key Is to approach problems as opportunities to grow closer, not drive you apart.

Face them head-on together, communicate openly and remind each other why you fell in love. A little romance can go a long way too.

Don’t let pride or stubbornness make you throw in the towel too soon. Marriage is a lifelong journey, and a few bumps are totally normal!

Approach it with patience, an open mind, and a commitment to making your love last.

Don’t be in a hurry to end the marriage. It’s meant to be a lifelong blissful experience.

Follow these tips, reignite that spark, and enjoy the ride with your partner!