Relationship
Marriage is a covenant
Covenant marriage is a sacred and moral commitment between a man and woman
The view of marriage as covenant is that marriage is a sacred union between husband and wife before God. Covenant marriage can be defined as a lifelong commitment between the spouses among evangelical Christians (Cade, 2010).
Marriage as a covenant is a belief that marriage is a sacred and binding agreement between two people (husband and wife).
Covenant Marriage is also considered a sacred and moral commitment between two individuals (man and woman), which involves not only social and legal, but also emotional, psychological and spiritual aspects.
It is a covenant, not just a contract; because it is rooted in a mutual promise to love and care for each other in a lifelong commitment.
This understanding of marriage emphasises the spiritual, psychological and emotional dimensions of the relationship and sees it as more than just a legal or social arrangement.
The idea of marriage as a covenant has roots in religious traditions, such as Christianity and Judaism, which view marriage as a sacred bond established by God. In these traditions, the covenantal nature of marriage is seen as a reflection of God’s covenant with humanity.
However, human’s desires of pursuing life for themselves are challenging the purposes of marriage by God.
A marriage (Christian marriage) is much more than a ‘business contract’ between husband and wife. It is a lifelong, exclusive covenant between two people (a man and woman), of which God is witness. He is present at every wedding! Jesus even says that, whenever a man and woman marry, God has joined them together (see Matthew 19:6 and Mark 10:9).
Here are some Scriptures from the Bible that support the idea of Christian marriage as a sacred covenant:
• Genesis 2:24: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”
This verse emphasises the unity and oneness of a husband and wife in marriage, indicating that it is more than just a legal or social contract.
• Malachi 2:14: “But you say, ‘Why does he not?’ Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth, to whom you have been faithless, though she is your companion and your wife by covenant.”
This verse refers to the covenant of marriage, indicating that it is a binding agreement before God.
• Matthew 19:5-6: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
In this passage, Jesus affirms the unity and permanence of marriage, indicating that it is a divine institution established by God.
• Ephesians 5:31-32: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the Church.
This verse compares the relationship between a husband and wife to that of Christ and the church, indicating the spiritual significance of marriage.
The above Scriptures suggest that Christian marriage is not just a contractual arrangement, but rather a sacred covenant established by God and upheld by the couple’s commitment to each other and to God.
The concept of marriage as a covenant has a lot of merits. It recognises the depth of commitment required to make a marriage successful and encourages both spouses to take their vows seriously and work together to build a strong and lasting relationship.
Ultimately, viewing marriage as a covenant can help couples to approach their relationship with a sense of reverence, commitment, and responsibility, which can lead to a deeper and more fulfilling connection.
To be continued …
Source: Excerpts from ‘Preparing for a Happy and Fulfilling Marriage’ Book by REV. COUNSELOR PRINCE OFFEI (Psychotherapist and Marriage Therapist). https://counselorprinceass.wixsite.com/edu-counseling-psych
https://princeoffei22.wixsite. com/website-psychologist
https://princeoffei22.wixsite. com/website
COUNSELOR PRINCE & ASSOCIATES CONSULT (CPAC COUNSELLOR TRAINING INSTITUTE)
A good relationship with your boss is critical for job success and career development. Supervisors have a great influence on your stress level, your team and company culture, and ultimately, whether you succeed or fail in a role.
They are also your best resource for support, problem-solving, and personal development. Building a strong relationship with them can be transformative for your work experience and professional growth, but navigating this connection can be complex.
Here are the remainder of some key values and characteristics that will help you along the way.
Be an excellent communicator
Establishing clear communication with a manager is absolutely critical to learning to work together. Everyone has preferred methods, styles, and frequency of communication, and it will benefit you to learn your boss’s preferences. Some people want minimal, direct communication, while others prefer detailed and frequent updates about projects. By catering to your supervisor’s unique communication style, you demonstrate thoughtful awareness and respect.
Additionally, be sure to clearly communicate difficulties before they pile up. Avoid unwanted surprises by giving your boss a heads-up about mistakes and confusion. Challenges and errors are a natural part of working on any team, so don’t feel the need to hide from that reality. Good communication around negative experiences will go a long way toward building trust.
Ask for advice and feedback
Your boss is your best resource. Be sure to understand what issues are worth getting their input on, to avoid running to them with every pain point every day. Asking for their opinion shows you value their expertise and goes a long way to developing a cooperative approach to strategy, process, and decision-making.
Asking for feedback is equally valuable. Many people are intimidated to ask for feedback, but also frustrated by a lack of attention and acknowledgment. Requesting feedback shows initiative and an interest in improving your performance.
Lastly, consider asking for coaching or mentorship. Managers are in a prime position to support your career development and are often enthusiastic about contributing in this way.
Marriage is meant to be a sanctuary — a place where two people feel safe, seen, and supported. But what happens when the person who promised “forever” slowly becomes the source of your deepest emotional wounds?
As a marriage counsellor and mental health professional in Accra, I sit with men who whisper, “I feel invisible in my own home,” or “I’m constantly blamed for things I didn’t do.” Often, these men are not describing a “difficult wife.” They are describing years of living with narcissistic patterns — patterns that don’t bruise the skin, but shatter the soul.
Let me be clear: Narcissism exists on a spectrum. Confidence is healthy. Pride is human. But narcissistic personality traits become destructive when they are consistent, rigid, and designed to control, manipulate, or diminish the other partner. Research from the American Psychological Association shows that emotional abuse from narcissistic partners can cause anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even trauma symptoms similar to PTSD.
This article is not about demonising women. It is about naming pain so healing can begin. If you see yourself in these 7 red flags, know this: You are not weak, you are not crazy, and you are not alone.
