What direction is your marriage headed?

If nothing changes, where will your marriage be this time next year?

Many marriages fail because the husband and wife wait too long to get the help that they need. And their relationship can only endure so much pressure of hurt feelings, resentment and anger before breaking.

So to help you turn things around and improve your relationship, here are 6 marriage reflection questions for you to ask as this year comes to a close.

1. Do I Ever Feel Like Life Would Be Better Without My Spouse?
Wondering if life would be better if you divorced your wife or husband is a common thought most couples have sometimes. But if you’re wondering about this a LOT, then it is a red flag that something is wrong.

If you feel stuck and trapped in your situation, then please find a marriage counselor because ignoring these feelings only makes your marriage worse.

2. Do I Feel That There Is More Bad Than Good In My Marriage?
Your marriage will not get better on its own. So unless you do something about it, expect more of the same. And is that what you really want?

3. Do I Rarely Have Things To Say?
Keeping things to yourself isn’t healthy. Communication is essential for bonding between couples.

If you and your spouse aren’t talking, then this is an indication that you don’t trust each other – that the environment isn’t safe. You clam up so you don’t get hurt. A marriage can only survive for so long under these conditions.

4. Do We Fight Over The Same Thing All The Time?
If you’re fighting over the same things then your relationship is either stagnating at best or dying at worst.

Do you really want to be fighting over the same things twelve months from now? If not, then do whatever is necessary to change it. The choice is yours.

5. Have I given Up Trying To “Fix” This Relationship?
It gets old after a while when you feel like you’re the only one who cares about saving the marriage and making the relationship better.

What often happens in this situation is that one spouse will give up and stop trying. But shutting down won’t make things better; it creates distance and disinterest.

Chances are you have a marriage that is good enough to save – so save it.  You will be so glad that you did.

6. How Intimate Are We?
In every marriage relationship there is physical and emotional intimacy. Just because you’re having sexual “intimacy” doesn’t mean that your relationship is intimate.

That being said, loss of physical affection is one of the most common ailments of a failing marriage.

If this describes your situation, then you need to find a trustworthy marriage counselor with whom you and your spouse are comfortable to start working through your marital issues. Do this now.

Well, as we enter the final week of 2012, spend thoughtful reflection with these questions.

If your marriage has veered off course then decide right now to get it back on course – you have that kind of power!

You can turn things around and go in a better, healthier direction.

The power is yours to have a better relationship and a happier marriage with your spouse in 2013.