Reply 3 HSCO 508

Reply 3 HSCO 508

 

Fireproof (Kendrick, 2008) the movie centers on the relationship of Caleb and Catherine Holt (Kendrick, 2008). Caleb and Catherine are in a marriage that is on the verge of divorce, because they have lost their connection with each other, and have forgotten how to communicate with mutual love and respect for each other, or perhaps they never knew how to do do in the first place. Caleb is focusing his attention on material and career pursuits, rather than the emotional needs of his spouse, however, Caleb exemplifies loyalty to his co-workers.

Catherine is looking for an emotional connection with her husband, but both find it difficult to express their feelings in a constructive manner. It seems that every time they communicate, the negative events and circumstances becomes the focus of their conversation, and seemingly unimportant events become arguments. It seems as if each of them are fighting to retain their own individuality, while simultaneously trying to function within the context of their marriage. Communication requires that each person listen intently, receiving the information, and then re-translate the information into an idea that they each can understand (Stewart, 2013). Because their interactions with one another produce negative feelings, rather than positive ones, this is an example of a degenerative spiral. Their misunderstandings and discord work in unison to create additional relationship damage, rather than helping the situation, each time they communicate they are hurting the situation. They each are focused on winning the fight, not hearing the other person (Stewart, 2012). When Caleb’s perspective begins to shift and change thanks to a gift, what his father calls the Love Dare, a handwritten journal which provides daily acts of kindness to be performed for Catherine, their relationship is transformed internally (Kendrick, 2008). Their interactions become positive rather than negative, demonstrating a generative spiral (Stewart, 2012).

Both Caleb and Catherine then remembered why they were together, why they were married, and why they wanted to continue to be married. Healing began to take place in both their hearts and minds, and their relationship was saved and ultimately, they commit their lives to following Christ. Both Caleb and Catherine were struggling at defining who they were individually, as well as who they were together. They were having somewhat of an identity crises and depending on the opinions of others, to explain who they were and give them value. As the film progressed, and healing began to take place, they begin to understand that their identity rested not only in each other, but also in Christ. The Bible teaches us, that our true identity rests in the identity of Christ. We aren’t who others say we are, we aren’t even who we think we are, when we begin a relationship with Jesus Christ, we become who He says we are, and gain access to all of the eternal promises of the Father (1 Corinthians 6:17, NIV).

References

Holy Bible: New International Version. www.Biblehub.com. (accessed 2/22/16).

Kendrick, A (director). (2008). Fireproof [motion picture]. Albany, GA: Sony Pictures.

Stewart, John (2012). Bridges Not Walls: A Book About Interpersonal Communication 11th Ed.

New York, NY. The Mcgraw Hill Companies, INC.

 

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