Last week, I introduced the topic of communication. I listed the four principles necessary to have a healthy communication within the marital relationship. The following is principle #1:
Learn and practice open communication. By open, I mean resourceful and free flowing. Any closed system creates dysfunction, dullness, and dormancy. In fact, communication, in many ways, is like a body of water. Any body of water that is always receiving and never giving, like the Dead Sea, becomes stale, stagnant, and lifeless. On the other hand, any body of water that is always giving, and never receiving, will be drained, depleted, and lifeless. Isn’t it interesting that there has to be a continuous source of refreshment if a body of water is to sustain life? In like fashion, in order for active and living marital relationships to exist it takes an open system of free flowing information (speaking and listening). If one person always listens and never expresses their real feelings, their likes, dislikes, agreements, disagreements, their joys and their frustrations, though they are always taking in information that may have been intended to refresh or remind, if unresponded to, that person can settle into resentment and remorse. In like manner, if one person is always talking and never listens for a response, they will soon deplete their reservoir of potential knowledge which would, or could, please, enrich, and replenish their spouse, their marriage, and their own life. Christians should learn and practice communication that is open, honest, and strengthening (Prov. 8:6-11; Eph. 4:29-32).