Learn how to identify the two most unrealistic expectations in marriage and open the door to a healthy relationship with your spouse.
Marital Communication
Most people struggle to manage their stresses in marriage effectively. And unmanaged stress in one spouse usually escalates stress in the other. But reactions can be complex.
Nearly 50 million Americans are affected by mental illness. Navigating mental health conditions and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a confusing and draining experience for spouses. But this does not mean the end of your marriage — there is hope for your marriage even if it is riddled with mental illness.
Being stubbornly silent or verbally explosive during marital conflict doesn’t honor God. Finding balance in marital conflict resolution expresses honor and love for God.
Avoiding conflict in marriage isn’t fair to yourself or your spouse. Learning to embrace and resolve conflict healthily leads to a better marriage.
There’s not necessarily any one right way to handle and resolve conflict – but, be assured that there are some mindsets, behaviors and attitudes you should avoid in this area of your marriage.
Healthy conflict can facilitate communication, understanding, trust and respect if we choose to manage our differences and disagreements in nourishing ways.
Forgiveness is vital in marriage. The key is to seek an apology after we truly understand our spouse’s heart. Here’s a four-part process to a sincere apology.
Empathy is more than feeling sorry that your spouse is burdened or troubled. Empathy takes place as you carry your spouse’s burdens.
Validation is safely allowing your spouse to share his or her thoughts and feelings. The message is that it’s okay to think and feel the way he or she does.
Active listening is a powerful tool in any relationship, but is an essential skill in marriage.
Couples often find themselves in avoidable conflict. But how can you avoid it?
Before you can begin to talk over the conflict like reasonable, loving adults, you have to pry your closed hearts open again.
Conflict is inevitable in marriage and can create damage or discovery — we choose which it will be. Discovery means learning new ideas, approaches and solutions if we fight together for our marriage.
Couples can build a healthy marriage when they offer encouragement to bring about change, growth and the fulfillment of potential.
I’ve yet to meet a married couple who didn’t struggle with unspoken expectations. By learning to talk about expectations in your marriage, you can begin to establish a more satisfying relationship.
The key to a great marriage is communication. What kind of communication? Dr. Greg Smalley recommends couples have four key marriage conversations.
Understanding the challenges of stepfamily living can help you make an informed decision about remarriage.
How do you resolve conflict in marriage? Consider these eight strategies based on God’s design for effective conflict resolution.
An attitude of respect paves the way for you to show respect for your mate. Respect does not indicate that you agree on everything, but it does mean that you give your spouse the freedom to be an individual.