I like assessment tools that are simple and not crazy complicated just to tell you something that you already know — marriage is going to have conflicts.

I am a big believer in the 5 Love Languages, the 1 Corinthians 13 practices, and the assessment tool that I developed below, using the word FORGIVE as a guide to work through in your mind the potential areas of marriage conflict that likely lies ahead.

It provides an outline of issues to consider together as you plan for marriage or as a tool for identifying conflict within marriage.

As you review these areas of your life, think of your future with your mate in marriage, and ask yourself if there are “adjustments to” and/or “compatibility with” these seven aspects that will impact your marriage relationship…

1) – Family | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ parents? children? step-kids? ex-spouses? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

2) – Outlook | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ life goals? family goals? religious beliefs? world views? political views? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

3) – Responsibilities | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ financial temperament? child support? debts? financial obligations? spending habits? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

4) – Genetics | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ family traits? personality? physical attractions? diseases? temperament? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

5) – Interests | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ cultural backgrounds? friends? hobbies? pastimes? holiday activities? high-risk pastimes? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

6) – Vocation | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ employment? job hours? job stress levels? career requirements? continuing education? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage? 

7) – Experiences | Consider your marriage with yours’ & spouses’ past relationships? education levels? trauma? post traumatic stress issues? How do you expect them to influence your marriage and/or be part of your marriage?