Resolve conflicts in relationships than dissolve them, couples told

Reverend Professor Daniel Agyapong Nyarko, an Elder of the Pentecost International Worship Center (PIWC) in Takoradi, has said it was always more rewarding to resolve a conflict in relationships than to dissolve it.He said hurt was bound to happen in any relationship, but the most important thing was how the situation was handled.Speaking on the topic: 'Fixing Broken Relationships,' at the climax of the church's Couples Residential Retreat, he said God never made humans to live as individuals.He indicated that it was God who realised that it was not good for the man to be alone and made the woman a companion for him.He stated that relationships failed largely because of the choices of words, actions, and inactions by couples.'The words we use among ourselves. Our actions towards the things we do and inactions like the way we react when we do not get the answer or results, we expect,' he stressed.He mentioned peer pressure as one of the causes of broken relationships and said, 'Many a time, we all ow friends to lead us astray'.Rev. Prof. Nyarko noted that a breakdown of communication in relationships could also lead to broken relationships and cautioned couples not to as much as possible, avoid such occurrences.He mentioned mistrust, clash of expectations, shift in priorities, unfaithfulness, and unfulfilled expectations as some common causes of broken relationships.He also mentioned abuse, both physical and emotional, as one of the common causes of broken relationships, citing again interference from In-laws as another factor and advised such persons to avoid creeping into the affairs of their children in their relationships.On ways to resolve broken relationships, he, 'implored couples to seek God's guidance, let go of resentments, forgive one another, and to always welcome open communication when there is an issue'.'Couples must pay attention to one another and iron out your differences and cultivate an attitude of repentance by recognising and admitting the wrongdoing,' he said.He advis ed that couples must learn to show love and respect in the way they received and talked to each other, learning to be patient and understanding, consider guidance and counseling if necessary, and spending time praying together.Rev. Prof. Nyarko urged couples not to react to situations but to respond to them whenever they were hurt.He admonished that couples should present their challenges to God and trust in His ability to help them while seeking solace in the Word of God and learning to walk in them.Source: Ghana News Agency