We don't always talk about it in church or among our friends, but sexual problems are one of the main causes of tension between married couples. I've counseled many couples who marry with great sexual energy and attraction only to end up fighting—or even divorcing—because of sexual problems. Unresolved anger is one of the main causes of sexual tension. Anger is inevitable in every marriage. There is simply... read more
6 Things Your Wife Says She Might Not Mean By Ashley Willis You know that old John Mayer song, “Say What You Mean to Say”? It’s so simple, yet profound, right? Why is it so hard to simply say what we actually mean at times? And, why is this especially tricky in a marriage? Whether we are trying to be polite or avoid a statement that just sounds too blunt, we can often end up completely... read more
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Fear is one of the most destructive forces in marriage. It never motivates us to do the right thing. Second Timothy 1:7 says, "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." Karen and I were both full of fear when we got married. I was afraid of rejection, failure, and weakness. I masked my fear by trying to be macho. She didn't hide her fear. She was openly afraid of... read more
Sex should be a fantastic stress-reliever within marriage. But I’ve seen stress do the exact opposite: the anxiety it produces leaves one or both spouses exhausted and sexually unresponsive. This isn’t too much to worry about when it happens from time to time. All of us go through seasons of stress, for various reasons. But when it happens regularly, it can create deep frustration for the spouse whose sexual... read more
In recent weeks we've mentioned the importance of consistent discipline when it comes to effective parenting. One of the most important things to remember about discipline is that it must be done in love. When a parent has communicated his or her expectations and a child still misbehaves, it's time to enforce those standards by deciding which method of punishment is most appropriate and effective. At this... read more
When Financial Stress is Hurting Your Marriage By Dave Willis One of the leading causes of divorce is financial stress. We recently did a survey through our Marriage Facebook page asking readers what are topics they’d like to see addressed and many people shared that issues related to financial stress were some of the biggest sources of stress in their marriage. Some people were even reaching... read more
Packing the Suitcase by Cassie Reid, Ph.D., LPC-S In the original creation, God made male and female to be together. Because of this, a man leaves father and mother, and in marriage he becomes one flesh with a woman—no longer two individuals, but forming a new unity. —Mark 10:6–8 MSG In my opinion, one of the hardest holiday seasons is the first one after a couple gets married. Again, I’m... read more
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How can children succeed in life if they don't see you succeed? That's a question every parent needs to ask—especially as it relates to their marriage. Raising great children is much more likely if you have also built a healthy marriage. Here are three principles I believe can lead to success as you raise your kids: First, your marriage should precede your children in priority. Have you ever heard a married... read more
