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Marital Communication

A young couple sit on the couch with their arms around each other. Validation in your marriage is key to conflict resolution.

Validation in Marriage is the Third Step to Conflict Resolution in L.U.V.E.

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.

Photo of a man actively listening to his spouse to strengthen their relationship.

Listening is the First Step to Conflict Resolution in L.U.V.E.

Active listening is a powerful tool in any relationship, but is an essential skill in marriage.

A young couple sits on the couch, with the woman putting an understanding arm on the man's shoulder.

Understanding is the Second Step to Conflict Resolution in L.U.V.E.

Couples often find themselves in avoidable conflict. But how can you avoid it?

A woman and a man sit on a couch having an open-hearted discussion to resolve conflict.

To Resolve Conflict, Open Your Heart

Before you can begin to talk over the conflict like reasonable, loving adults, you have to pry your closed hearts open again.

A middle aged couple sits on the couch with back turned to each other and arms crossed. Learning to deal with marriage conflict is important.

4 Steps to Deal With Marriage Conflict

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.

A young wife gives her husband encouragement.

Encouraging Your Spouse through Positive Communication

Couples can build a healthy marriage when they offer encouragement to bring about change, growth and the fulfillment of potential.

Communicating your expectations in marriage is important. A young couple sits at a table talking about their expectations in their marriage.

How to Communicate Your Expectations in Marriage

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.

A husband and wife sitting on a couch talking to each other. There are four types of communication to strengthen your marriage.

Four Types of Communication to Strengthen Your Marriage

The key to a great marriage is communication. What kind of communication? Dr. Greg Smalley recommends couples have four key marriage conversations.

A couple with three kids from a blended stepfamily after remarriage navigate crossing a creek by stepping over rocks.

Is Remarriage Right for You and Your Future Stepfamily?

Understanding the challenges of stepfamily living can help you make an informed decision about remarriage.

A young couple looking to resolve a conflict in their marriage. The man tries to explain as the wife covers her face in frustration.

How to Resolve Conflict in Marriage

How do you resolve conflict in marriage? Consider these eight strategies based on God’s design for effective conflict resolution.

A married couple engaged in a conflict.

When Couples Have Unresolvable Marriage Conflicts

Unresolvable marriage conflicts don’t have to derail your marriage. Most of these problems won’t harm your relationship if you follow a few basic principles.

Man and a woman sitting on the couch showing respect for one another.

Communicating Respect in Your Marriage

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.

Photo of a married couple talking to eahc other on the couch as a model of communication and conflict in marriagel

Communication and Conflict in Marriage

Don’t fear the conflict in your marriage. Conflict is actually a key component of communication. Use it to the benefit of your marriage.

A small red toy fire truck holds wooden blocks spelling out “LOVE,” symbolizing the strength and importance of love in a first responder marriage.

15 Tips To Resuscitate Your First Responder Marriage

All relationships take work, but your first responder marriage may make the Jones’ look like a coffee-fetching “internship.”

Photo of a woman initiating a conversation with her husband as they sit at a table in front of large windows while the man sips coffee and listens to her.

10 Tips for Initiating a Conversation with Your Spouse

If you’re having difficulty initiating conversations with your spouse, these 10 tips might make the process easier.

Married couple standing with their backs to each other with arms crossed. The woman looks over her shoulder at the man, wondering how to apologize to her spouse.

The Best Way to Apologize to Your Spouse

A thriving marriage requires two spouses who are good at giving apologies that reflect personal responsibility.

A silhouette of a face profile with dozens of crumpled pieces of colored paper above it, signifying a person's difficulty in identifying their emotions with soul words.

Learn to Identify Your Emotions in Marriage

Using “soul words” helps develop a greater awareness of your inner experiences. And once you begin the awareness process, you will be amazed at how thoughts, feelings and reactions become clearer to you.

Communicate in Marriage

How To Help Your Spouse Talk To You

Relationships are like a dance. Communication takes effort, but with practice, each of us can be a safe place for our loved one’s tender needs.

Is ‘Overwhelm’ Hurting Your Marriage?

Insidious, overwhelm is the urgent that competes with – and often wins – in the daily war between the important and the urgent.

Improve Your Marriage With Boundaries

As a couple, decide on your boundary lines. How can you respect one another when issues arise and you don’t agree?