Social Exchange Theory: The Social Exchange Theory Of Marriage

Every relationship we encounter in our lives hold a value of worth. The process of social exchange theory is what helps us exam the worth of a relationship. Marriage is often a reaction to the results of social exchange theory. The commitment of marriage does not mean we are eliminating or ignoring the cost in a relationship, but means we are accepting the cost with the willingness to adapt. The act of adapting in a relationship is brought on by the grace of God, which is built on the foundation of our heavenly Father 's authority. Having God be the priority figure of authority in a marriage will provide opportunity to experience love in the form of the Lord, which will initiate a marriage to succeed as a union. Even though there are risk of

God gives and shows us love when we lease deserve it, we as followers of Christ should desire to do the same for our spouses. Placing God as a authority figure in our relationship will establish adequate structure when a man and woman become one unity. "This unity is to encompass all of life."(Chapman, 2014, p. 16) In marriage we are often accepting of the wanted conditions, but express resistance and frustration to the unwanted standards within a marriage unity. Having grace apart of a unity of marriage signifies we will love at the deepest ability we are capable of, no matter what. Just as God did in presenting his love for us, when he sacrificed his one and only son. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (New International Version) Grace is an essential element to have in the union of marriage, it will transform a whole new meaning for unconditional love. With unconditional love we are able to experience the joys of the benefits of a

So why is love not enough for couples to hold a marriage together? I believe there is a fine line when it comes to the aspect of love. Our response of love can easily be spoken, but is more challenging to express if it is not coming from a place of reflecting God 's love. I met my husband when I was eighteen years old, I quickly realized we were quite the opposite, but yet still had a chemistry that drew me to him. I knew shortly within our relationship I was in love with him, but this love I was experiencing was like nothing I never experienced before. Vince knew how to drive me crazy, I often was frustrated or upset with him by his responses to situations we faced. Just when the frustration would seem too much to bear, an urge to extend love and grace to him would come over me. This expression of unconditional love I extended to him, provided him with desire to do the same for me. Our relationship is not perfect, but no one has one that is. We are all not perfect and are sinful by nature, so setting expectations that our spouse is perfect, will only "cripple" our ability to love in the form God desires us to. Learning to accept one another for who God created us to be is important, this provides availability for differentiation to participate in the union of marriage. "The supreme purpose of marriage is the union of two individuals at the