Pornography — whether used infrequently or as an addiction — is a big deal. And it can have a major impact on a marriage.
Marriage
It’s hard to describe the pain of walking through your child’s divorce. How do you support him or her in this time? Here are some practical ways to deal with your own hurt and come alongside your child.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes It was supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. I was a new bride, and my heart was full of anticipation as I looked forward to celebrating our first Christmas together as a married couple. But the holiday season turned out to be anything but peace on …
Quiet divorce is a growing problem in marriages today. It happens when couples stop paying attention to each other and slowly drift apart—without ever filing for divorce. Every married couple needs to understand what a quiet divorce is and why it matters. As a husband and a marriage counselor, I want to share practical marriage …
One of the best things you can give your spouse during the holidays is time. Use these Christmas conversation starters to build intimacy with your spouse.
Your husband’s sex drive changes as he ages, and illness can also affect it. Although a diminishing sex life may be disappointing for you as a wife, it’s potentially devastating for your husband. But an encouraging wife can make a big difference.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all formula that will instantly revolutionize a mismatched marriage, a few principles can contribute to the health of a relationship. Continue to cultivate your relationship with God while also remaining a devoted spouse and live out your faith without trying to “fix” your spouse.
Spiritual attacks and normal growth issues are happening all the time. If your relationship is going through some rough patches, consider taking some practical steps to improve it. Pray for your marriage and get on the same team as your spouse. Make sure you are improving as a person and investing in your marriage.
Because of birth order, the place in their families of origin, spouses have different experiences growing up, and that shapes behavior, personalities and relationships with each other. Understanding how birth order affects how your spouse thinks and behaves can improve communication in your marriage.
Relationships between married couple and their in-laws can be difficult. Couples can mitigate disagreements and problems they have with their in-laws by showing honor to them and building mutual respect. Not making demands, learning to negotiate, as well as expressing appreciation where you can, are key skills for doing this.
Every family has its quirks. You can’t control your family, but you can control your responses to the things they say or do. The best time to think about how you’ll respond is before you leave home. What if you responded to those comments with grace?
Sexual coercion and assault in marriage can be hard to recognize. This is because there is unbiblical teaching about sex and manipulative tactics at play. Learning to refute this false teaching and recognize abuse is key to ending the confusion and preventing abuse.
How do you counsel someone against living together before marriage? Looking to the example of Jesus, we can point out the sin of cohabitation and correct with love and grace. Understanding what the Bible actually says about this subject is key to engaging this issue.
If you and your spouse look for unexpected gifts in your life this Christmas, you just may find a blessing in working together to manage family dynamics during the holiday season.
How do you heal from infidelity? It’s hard work to rebuild trust and intimacy after the betrayal of infidelity, but when both partners are willing to do the work, it’s worth it. It is possible to move forward. It involves a lot of hard conversations and deep introspection, as well as rekindling intimacy and passion.
Can men and women be friends? In short, yes. But those friendships should come with boundaries. Opposite-sex friendships should be casual and not close. Always prioritize your relationship with your spouse and build shared social networks with him or her. Be mindful of your interactions and set guidelines for how you interact with opposite-sex friends.
What are the roles of Christian men and women in marriage? And why does it matter? Here are a few things to consider.
When you realize your marriage is in need of restoration, you can always turn to God. Asking God to heal the key aspects of your marriage like commitment, communication, connection, and intimacy, can refocus you on what really matters. The power of prayer can give you hope for a better marriage, and the courage to …
The book of Ruth reveals more than a love story between two people—it’s a story of God’s redeeming love that reaches every generation and every nation.
Do you find that holiday planning drives you and your spouse apart? Add a little joy to your Christmas season by getting organized together.