The Communication Barrier
“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language,
that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
Genesis 11:7(NKJV)
If only he understood where I was coming from. If only I understood what he was thinking. Does this thought process ring a bell? Those moments or seasons where your marital communication literally feels like you are speaking different languages?
In Genesis Chapter 11 we read that the whole earth spoke one language (v.1). Verse four says, And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”
How is your communication working out with your man lately?
Here’s a tip: If you are thriving in that area, I’m celebrating with you, because in MANY cases, the root to so many marital problems is lack of communication with one another. However, don’t take it for granted. If you are wavering or deeply struggling in the communication field, I can relate dear friend.
That being said, I cannot count the times the miscommunication in my marriage was a turning point in my personal walk with Christ. I would become fixated on the lack of understanding between the hubs and I, I would idolize the problem and what I needed to do to fix it. Therefore, I would lose focus with Jesus.
More so, I can’t count the times when all was hunky dory in marriage land, I forgot my need for Jesus. When it feels like we are speaking the same language, I get focused on the tower we are building for ourselves rather than keeping in step with the One who gave me the privilege of this tower in the first place.
What if God has created a communication barrier between you and your husband in order to get your focus back on Him? Perhaps, Pinterest offered some great communication tips but not quite the guidance God’s Word could deliver.
The people in Genesis 11 became so inward focused, they lost sight of the glory to God. They began to make it more about themselves.
Here’s something to think about:You may not feel it is about “you” within that barrier because you are attempting the will of Christ in your marriage and your husband is not. Excuse me for a second, but God has made it clear to me in a few seasons, that he never asked or expected me to take His place. If our hearts are yearning for God’s will and way in our marriages, then why on Earth aren’t we stepping out of the way to let God be God?
“Come, let Us go down and there confuse their language,
that they may not understand one another’s speech.”
Genesis 11:7 (NKJV)
Is it possible that God has done the same in your marriage as he did at the Tower of Babel? In order to make this marriage more about Him, and usher humility into your marriage, He created a communication barrier to get your attention?
Maybe so we would nag less to our guy and nod more to our God?
My husband and I don’t always see eye to eye. At times, I find that to be an unreal struggle. It may grate my nerves. Or break me to tears. What I do know is no matter the effect it has on me, I’m found at the feet of Jesus every time. At His feet are where humility and grace meet me. It’s in that place where I let God be God, and believe it or not, where the barrier breaks.
Hear me out: this may not be an overnight deal. Sometimes I have wept at the feet of Jesus for months or years but I can assure you He is faithful EVERY TIME. He will keep you and sustain you. Surrendering to Him when you can’t seem to understand your husband or be understood is a powerful path to peace in the midst of a storm.
the lovely exchange:
seeing your communication barrier as a place of hopelessness and taking things into your own hands (manipulation, seeking answers through the world)
exchanged for
seeing your communication barrier as a purposed plan to redirect your personal walk back to God and
“let God be God” that the barrier may break