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Relationships & Marriage Q&As

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Father Was Abusive: What Does It Mean to Honor Him?

How do I deal with my elderly dad’s history of child sexual abuse?

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Submission of Wives to Husbands

What does the Bible really mean when it says “Wives submit to your husbands”?

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Grandparents Threatened to Either Support Transgender Grandchild or Be Cut Off

Our grandson is being supported by his parents (our daughter and son-in-law) to “transition” to a girl. They say that if we don’t call him by his new female name, they’ll cut us out of their lives. We don’t know where this is coming from or what to do. How do we show them love …

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Pedophilia in Marriage

I just discovered that my husband has been abusing our 6-year-old niece. What should I do?

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Having Fun With Your Opposite Personalities

You married someone who’s very different from you! It’s part of God’s design. While your differences can be a lot of fun, they can also create a lot of tension. John talks to Erin about ways that a couple can have fun with their differences. Featuring Mrs. Melanie Shankle.

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Representing Jesus in Our Marriage

If there’s a lack of love in your marriage, it’s good to evaluate the strength of your relationship with God. The more you prioritize obeying God, the better job you’ll do at being a good spouse. John talks to Erin and Greg about what it means for couples to represent Jesus in their marriage. Featuring …

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3 Not-So-Common Issues That Can Cause Emotional Distance in Marriage

I’ve been married for nine years and feel alone. My husband and I don’t connect emotionally at all. What do I do?

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Honey, That’s Not What I Meant

You said something to your spouse, and thought your point was clear. But after a day or two, your mate is really upset. It turns out, your spouse misunderstood what you said. Sound familiar? John, Erin and Greg explain why working through misunderstandings can make your relationship stronger. Featuring Guy Lia, Amber Lia, and Jean …

The Dance of Relationships: Four Styles of Interaction and Which One Is Healthy

In our previous article on four styles of relational interaction, we looked at basic principles of control and responsibility, and how people interact in any given situation: hold, toss, grab, or fold. HOLD and FOLD are healthy choices; TOSS and GRAB are not. HOLD: When a person rightly realizes, What’s mine is mine. FOLD: When …

Four Styles of Relational Interaction: What’s Healthy, What’s Not

For most of us, the question pops up every day: How can I mind my own business and still be responsible to the people I have relationships with? The answer won’t always be straightforward because every person and every situation is different. But we can take steps in the right direction by understanding basic principles …

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Tough Love in Adult Relationships: What It Is, What It’s Not, and How to Use It

My husband has all but destroyed me, our marriage, and our family. Friends who care about both of us tell me to use tough love with him. But then I read articles that say it’s the wrong approach — that compassion and patience would be better. What should I do?

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When Family Secrets Come Out: How to Work Through Your Feelings and Find a Way Forward

How do I handle the family secret that just came to light? I feel like my whole life has been a lie.

Should Christians Get Prenuptial Agreements?

I’m engaged, and my fiancé wants a prenup.

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Just Annoying, or Truly Unsafe? How to Navigate Get-Togethers With Difficult Family

How do I decide whether to attend a family event? I didn’t come from a healthy family of origin, and I don’t always feel safe around my relatives. But I feel pressure to be at every get-together.

IVF: Moral and Ethical Considerations

What’s your opinion of in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

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Concerned About Wife’s Friendship With Former Boyfriend

Am I justified in being upset about my wife’s ongoing friendship with a former boyfriend? We’ve been married for three years, and they have maintained a close relationship the entire time. She refuses to cut it off even though she knows it’s hurtful to me. Am I being unreasonable?

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Helping a Spouse Become More Financially Responsible

How can I encourage my wife to be more thoughtful about money? Our family has really struggled recently. I was laid off from my job two years ago and have finally found full-time employment. My wife worked a couple of part-time jobs, but we still have a lot of bills to pay. And no matter …

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Wife No Longer Attracted to Overweight Husband

How do I deal with the reality of having lost all physical attraction for my severely overweight husband? I’ve tried to be encouraging and understanding. I’ve made healthy meals for us, offered to exercise with him, and listened empathetically to his frustrations for years, but he hasn’t shown interest in doing anything to change his …

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Help for Lonely Military Spouses

Do you have resources for a military spouse who’s struggling desperately with feelings of loneliness? I honestly believe that loneliness is the source of most other issues military families experience: alcoholism, addiction, divorce, even suicide. I knew I’d be lonely during a deployment, but now I know it happens other times, too; for the past …

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A Christian View of Civil Marriage

Is a marriage performed by a Justice of the Peace valid in the eyes of God?