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Marriage

A man and a woman, in silhouette, sit on a box, backs to each other, arms folded. In these divided time, navigating political issue in marriage is important to maintaining relationships.

Navigating Political Issues as a Married Couple

Political issues can be challenging in any relationship, but they’re especially challenging for a married couple. No matter how serious your political differences may be, those differences should never impact your marriage covenant.

A couple sits on the beach under a yellow umbrella. Summer vacations can't fix all marriage problems, but you can use the optimism of summer to address deeper issues.

Can Summer Vacations Fix Marriage Problems?

Thinking that summertime fun will fix your marriage problems is unrealistic. But you can use the optimism of the season to improve your relationship.

A man sits on the floor with a computer in his lap while his wife lies on the couch looking over his shoulder. Planning your vacation together can help strengthen your marriage.

How to Plan Your Vacation and Improve Your Marriage

What if planning your vacation could strengthen your marriage? Follow these three tips to build your family vacation this summer and connect deeper with your spouse.

A young couple bump knuckles in their bond as a team. Try these five things to become teammates in marriage.

5 Ways for Couples to be Teammates in Marriage

If you and your spouse are going to function as teammates in marriage, you need to actually understand each other’s situation and validate each other.

A male and female couple walk hand-in-hand into an orange sunset. Soul mates are not mentioned in the Bible, but the bible offers all kinds of advice on how to build a lasting relationship with your spouse.

Soul Mates: What Does the Bible Say About Discovering Love?

The term “soul mate” does not appear in the Bible. However, the Bible does provide us with plenty of guidance to help us form lasting relationships.

A young bride and groom stand in a beautiful, mountainous landscape at the edge of a lake. Watch out for these unrealistic expectations in marriage.

How to Overcome Unrealistic Expectations in Marriage

Learn how to identify the two most unrealistic expectations in marriage and open the door to a healthy relationship with your spouse.

A young groom sits near a window contemplating his future. Don't completely ignore wedding day second thoughts.

Wedding Day Second Thoughts

At least one of the purposes of your engagement season is to make sure you’ve made the right decision.

A young man proposes to a woman on a dock on a lake in the mountains. Are you ready to wed?

Are You Ready to Wed?

How will I know that I’m ready to wed? Dr. Greg Smalley is often asked this question by engaged couples, so he offers his personal insights on how couples can better understand love.

A distressed couple sitting apart on a couch, both with their heads in their hands, illustrating the challenges and need to learn how to handle stress in marriage.

How To Handle Stress in Marriage

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.

A sad, depressed woman sits on the ground at the edge of her bed with head in her right hand. Sexual trauma in marriage can be the root of many marital problems.

Sexual Trauma and Its Effect on Marriage

Spouses who have suffered sexual trauma and haven’t dealt with it go on outwardly, while secretly struggling in their marriage. Here’s what you need to know.

A woman restes her head on her husband's shoulders as they watch the sunset. Perseverance is the best weapon against depression.

The Weapon That Depresses Depression

Depression doesn’t make you a failure. Persevering through it makes you a strong Christian and a winner in God’s eyes.

A couple sits next to each other on a couch, holding each other's hands tenderly in a marriage challenged by mental illness.

Hope for a Marriage Challenged by Mental Illness

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.

A photo of a stressed out woman holding her head in her hands. A wife may deal with unique mental burdens.

A Wife’s Response to Mental Burdens

During some seasons, you might become bitter as a result of feeling like you’re doing more than your spouse. If this issue resurfaces often for you, Erin Smalley has some suggestions to help.

A man comforts his sad wife. Remember, you don't need to deal with depression on your own.

Dealing With Depression

Don’t get tangled up in the notion that depression is a sin. Remember, you don’t need to deal with depression on your own.

A woman comforts her depressed husband. Here are some ways to nurture your spouse when your spouse is depressed.

When Your Spouse Is Depressed

Here’s how you can help your loved one out of the darkness of depression.

A man sits across from his sad wife, trying to comfort her. If you are living with a depressed spouse, life can seem dark and draining,

Living With a Depressed Spouse

When living with a depressed spouse, changing your heart can be a long, slow process. Here are some suggestions to help you heal your relationship.

A man places the ring on a finger of his bride at their. There is much power in the marriage vows.

Living Together but Not Married? Consider the Power of the Vow

A marriage vow is a special and powerful promise — and we need it for many reasons. If you’re living together but you’re not married yet, consider the power of the vow.

A man and a woman are standing together at their wedding. The woman is wearing a floral headpiece and a white dress, while the man is dressed in a dark suit.

5 Traditional Marriage Vows: What They Mean and Why They’re Still Important

There’s a reason traditional marriage vows have endured for centuries.

A newlywed bride walks through a field of purple wild flowers. Here are 12 pieces of advice the author would share with her newlywed self.

12 Pieces of Advice I’d Tell Newlywed Me

For my 12 year anniversary, I’ve highlighted 12 pieces of newlywed advice I wish I could share with the newlywed version of myself.

A couple on the couch argues. Why do couples fight? Most often they fight about trivialities and nothing.

What Do Couples Fight About? You’ll Be Shocked by the Answer

All couples fight. And it feels as if we’re fighting about something. But when we look at our conflicts, they can sound pretty insignificant. Big things don’t ensnare us as often as the little things.