The growing number of divorces shows how imperative it is that young people be adequately prepared for marriage.
Love is a fragile commodity which needs to be cultivated and nourished constantly.
Of course, those intending to marry should look to God for His guidance, but the success of the marriage will be largely dependent on the couple and their efforts in response to God's leading. A good marriage is not based on idealism, but on reality. Far too many marry with unrealistically high expectations, and then spend years suffering and adjusting - if they stay together at all. A good marriage is based on respect for oneself and for the partner. A poor self-image, inherited from a stressful home background or the product of immaturity, can lead to stormy seas.