There are five levels of need that marriages can experience. Before breaking down these five areas it is important that if a marriage is in the deepest crisis level and there is imminent danger of harm or abuse that the first step is to separate from the source of danger. Call 9-1-1 in the United States for emergency services if you cannot remove yourself from the danger and need help. Where there is self-harm, addiction, or immediate crisis help is needed dial 9-8-8 in the United States for counseling and referral services.
A marriage must be cherished, nurtured, and protected to be kept in a health state. Marriages require maintenance just like a car requires maintenance. However, there are two people in a marriage and it requires both to be active participants to succeed.
God designed marriage to reflect the mystery of His nature and as the base of a family structure. Marriages that are not maintained fall into need much like a garden that has been neglected. Weeds in a garden put strain on the good plants and choke them out competing for resources. Marriages suffer from strain when the newness wears off and effective communication stops.
Marriages in distress have deeper cracks like those in a sidewalk that has been left to weather without maintenance and repair. It can be difficult to bring a marriage in distress back to full health but it is possible! It takes acknowledgement of failures of a husband and wife, repentance, and hard work.
A marriage in crisis is one that carries heavy burdens. One or both spouse may be suffering or there may be abuse or harm from one to another. Critical support from multiple resources are required to help bring a marriage in crisis back from the edge, and even if both are able and willing there can still be heartache and brokenness in the end.
The good news is that God is above all of the brokenness that we see in the world. While we must endure the trials that we encounter as couples there is hope and redemption through Christ. Our mission is to help heal marriages and restore families so that God’s glory can be revealed in the process.
Levels of Need
MARRIAGE MAINTENANCE
Strengthening your marital bond with your spouse and investing in maintaining a health marriage
MARRIAGE IN NEED
Level 1: Characterized by relationship strain and communication issue
MARRIAGE IN DISTRESS
Level 2: Infidelity, broken relationship, escalated communication problems
MARRIAGE IN CRISIS
Level 3: Abuse, addiction and self-harm