The professor was speaking with his class of students in the pastoral counseling class near the conclusion of the time for the evening. “We are just about half way through the semester and perhaps you’ve been wondering about a specific situation you are facing,” he suggested.

A dozen hands went up at the same time. The first question was, “I have been trying to help someone I know who is having trouble in their marriage. What should I do?”

The professor replied, “While there are no cookie cutter automatic responses that I can give you, I can say that I have tried to follow the wonderful pattern in marriage counseling.” He then picked up his Bible and a black marker and wrote the following on the white board. He wrote the reference on the board and read the verse. I’ll give you the reference and verse as well.

1. Speak the truth to the couple (“Speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15).
2. Attack the problem, not each other (“Walk not as Gentiles walk…But you have not so learned Christ” Ephesians 4:17, 20.)
3. Determine to learn from the Lord (“If so be that you have heard Him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus” Ephesians 4:21).
4. Identify the sinful situations that need to be put away (“You put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” Ephesians 4: 22).
5. View your situation Biblically (“Be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Ephesians 4:23-24).
6. Be honest (“Putting away lying, speak truth” Ephesians 4:25).
7. Don’t clam up (“Don’t let the sun go down upon your wrath” Ephesians 4:26). Settle it by sunset!
8. Don’t blow up (“Neither give place to the devil” Ephesians 4:27). The enemy wants you to lose your temper.
9. Implement God’s marvelous changes (“And be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” Ephesians 4:32).

The experienced professor explained that this is only the framework and that it might take some time to implement, but the class was dismissed that night after a time of precious discussion.

Grab this thought for today: Whatever you and your friends are facing today, here is God’s framework for change and blessing. It really works because it is God’s framework.