COMMUNICATION: THE KEY TO A SUCCESSFUL HOME-PART 2

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the concluding part of this teaching. I believe restoration has been taking place in some families and heaven is rejoicing. If you are yet to read the first part of this article, I will implore you to do so. This week, we shall be examining The Principles and Gains of Effective Communication.

Principles and Gains of Effective Communication:

• Talk and listen. For every communication, there is a sender and a receiver. When you talk with anyone, also learn to listen when it is their turn to talk. A wise man said that any problem, either big or small, within a family always seems to start with bad communication. Success in family, life and leadership can be traced to communication patterns (1 Kings 10:1-3).
• Give room for possible questions. Assumption is the mother of frustration. Your husband can say one thing and mean another thing. That is why it is essential to ask for clarifications on issues that need to be clarified. Personally, I don’t assume what I don’t understand; I look for every opportunity to ask questions. There is no crime in asking questions (Acts.8:30). As a man, don’t just issue instructions without giving your wife or children room to ask questions if they have one. Communication is effective when there is feedback.  
• Need for correct timing. Timing is vital in communication. For example, a woman whose husband just returned from work, instead of allowing him to go shower and eat, she meets him at the door with numerous requests of pending bills and all sorts. What do you think will be the outcome of that conversation? Anger and Arguments! Remember, a hungry man is an angry man (Proverbs 29:11). When there are issues to present, approach and tone are important. This two go hand in hand. The approach could be right, but the tone may be wrong. So, if you notice your tone or that of your partner or the family member you are engaging with is increasing, try and calm them down; you may decide to move the discussion to a later time when you must have cooled off.

What are the Gains of Effective Communication?

Intimacy is not lacking in homes where there is effective communication. The more you learn to communicate with your spouse and other members of your family, the more you get closer to them. We become friends with those we communicate more with. A wise man has rightly said that unhappy marriages are not as a result of lack of love but as a result of lack of friends. The more you communicate with someone, the more familiar you become with that person.

Effective communication triggers love and submission. Most women rebel against their husband’s instructions because they lack understanding. A woman who rebels against her husband’s wishes and instructions is doing herself more harm than good. When a man finds it difficult to love a woman, it is evident that he finds it hard to communicate with the woman. Also, children should not be afraid to ask their parents questions; they must find friends with their parents. An open line of communication between family members can lead to the preservation of lives and destinies.

To develop a good flow of communication with your spouse and family members, you must first maintain a quality relationship with God. God is the builder of every home, and without Him, we cannot build a successful home (Hebrews 3:4). So, your home might have been badly damaged as a result of the wrong use of your tongue, or you are separated from your spouse, there is healing for you. However, you must first surrender to God. If you are not born again, please say this prayer of faith:  Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself. Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Precious Blood. Deliver me from sin and satan to serve the Living God. From today, Lord Jesus, I accept You as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You Jesus for saving me! Now, I am Born Again.

Congratulations! You are now born again and a child of God. He loves you and will never leave or forsake you. With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace, in Jesus’ name! Please write or call to share your testimonies with me through oyedepofaitha@gmail.com OR 08141320204 and07026385437. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian Bookstores: Building a successful family, Making Marriage Work, and Success in Marriage (Co-authored)