by Norman Bales

While going through some of my study materials I ran across some information that I
think most married couples can use. It seems a lot of things come in sevens, like
"The Seven Danger Signals of Cancer."

If you are serious about building the best marriage relationship possible, then you
might want to print out these seven signs of a sick marriage and post them where you can
see them often, like on your bathroom mirror. Caution: Don’t post them in a place where
only your spouse can see them. You’ll have to start by taking responsibility for your own
contributions, or lack thereof, to a healthy marriage.

I don’t know Lindsay Curtis, but I understand that he is a medical doctor. At any rate
he recognized the fact that relationship problems can contribute to physical illness. He
keeps a set of calling cards in his desk with messages printed on both sides. On the front
side you see the name of his clinic, the appropriate telephone numbers and other
information relevant to his medical practice. On the reverse side, the card lists
"Seven Warning Signals of a Sick Marriage."

Here they are:

1. When courtesies are abandoned.

2. When couples begin to think in terms of "I" instead of "We."

3. When they stop complimenting each other.

4. When stubborn silence replaced common-sense communication.

5. When they stop praying together.

6. When they fail to sense and meet the needs of each other.

7. When they fail to express love.

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