marriage Archives

Redeeming a Marriage and Childhood Wounds

Grammy-award
winning singer and songwriter Russ Taff grew up in church, but he was an adult
the first time he was truly able to understand God’s love.

His
dad was a pastor who preached what Russ calls a “hard Gospel.” That means there
were rules about clothes, rules about hair, rules about attitude. Rules, rules,
rules – so many that his father couldn’t live up to his own standards. His
father relapsed with alcohol again and again for years and, ultimately, didn’t stop
drinking until he died.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: Domestic abuse, faith, marriage August 8, 2019 by Jim Daly

Making Your Marriage a Picture of the Gospel

“Maybe D.A. and Elicia shouldn’t get married.”

A lot of friends and family must have thought that about D.A. and Elicia Horton … even the drug dealers on the corner. No kidding!

One night two months before their wedding, D.A. and Elicia got into yet another terrible argument. This one was the worst in a long string of them, however, because what started as a disagreement inside quickly escalated into a six-hour screaming match outside. It was so bad they say drug dealers moved their business further down the road because D.A.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couples, faith, marriage July 23, 2019 by Jim Daly

Responding Well in Marital Conflict

“…and they lived happily ever after.”

Most of the stories you heard in childhood probably ended like that. It’s the stuff of fairy tales with Prince Charming and damsels in distress.

Living happily ever after is also the hope of every couple standing at a wedding altar. Here’s the problem: happiness is an emotion – and a fickle one at that. It comes and goes with nearly every change of circumstances.

When good things happen, we’re happy.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, conflict, couple, marriage July 8, 2019 by Jim Daly

Staying True to Your Marriage

The tingles can get you married. They can also get you divorced.

Dr. Gary Chapman hears a lot about “the tingles.” It begins when couples come to him for premarital counseling, and he asks, “Why do you want to get married?”

However else they answer, one reason they always include is: “We love each other.”

To that, Dr. Chapman asks, “What do you mean, ‘We love each other’?”

After exchanging awkward looks, the couple will usually say something that equates to “the tingles” to which Dr.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couples, faith, marriage June 25, 2019 by Jim Daly

Grasping the Power of Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. But, boy, is it difficult.

It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about forgiving yourself or forgiving others, forgiveness doesn’t come naturally to us. In fact, our wounds can be so deep, the struggle to forgive can only be described as “desperate.”

That’s how Duck Dynasty’s Al and Lisa Robertson describe their struggle to forgive each other after their marriage ran aground. Their wounds were too deep to heal apart from the strength and the grace of God.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, faith, forgieness, marriage June 20, 2019 by Jim Daly

Creating a No-Regrets Marriage

King Artaxerxes commissioned Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah and his men set to work with trowels in one hand and with swords in the other, defending against enemies on all sides (Neh. 4:17).

In many ways, married couples face a similar challenge. With one hand, they’re building their marriage, their children, and their careers. With the other, they’re wielding the sword of the Word of God and defending their families against a culture that’s increasingly hostile.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, spouse June 14, 2019 by Jim Daly

Embracing God’s Purpose for Your Marriage

Is there a secret to a happy marriage?

That’s a common question. It’s also a tough one.

On the one hand, who doesn’t want a happy marriage? Everyone walks down the aisle believing they’re committing themselves to a spouse who will fill their life with joy and fulfillment. On the other hand, when couples reach out to Focus on the Family, many are struggling because their marriage isn’t making them as happy as they thought it would.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couple, faith, marriage, spouse June 3, 2019 by Jim Daly

Harnessing Your Strength to Transform Your Marriage

Wonder Woman.

Batgirl.

Black Widow.

The Invisible Woman.

Wives.

What do all of these women have in common?

Well, they all can be strong and fierce in character. They’re all capable of having bold convictions and standing firmly behind their decisions. Really, the comparisons could go on and on.

There’s really only one difference: Fictional superheroines are esteemed because they stand on their own and lead their lives independent of men.

God never intended Christian wives to do the same.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, marriage, spouse, wife, women May 31, 2019 by Jim Daly

Practical Advice for Those Getting Ready to Wed

Every couple walks down the aisle dreaming of love, romance, and a life of happiness together. In fact, our marriage team here at Focus reports that 93 percent of Americans say a happy marriage is one of their chief objectives in life.

And, yet, the statistics also show that a significant percentage of relationships will end in divorce, and about half of those will occur within the first seven years of marriage.

Why? How does the beauty and promise symbolized in a wedding ceremony deteriorate into a failed marriage and the ugly reality of divorce?

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couple, engagement, marriage May 24, 2019 by Jim Daly

What You Can Learn from the Bible’s Couples

When you walked down the aisle, what was your vision for you and your spouse? Did you want a “nice” marriage?

A “friendly” marriage?

A “we get along” marriage?

Probably not.

Most couples are searching for intimacy, connection, romance, and excitement. But years into their marriage, many husbands and wives are bored. Life has settled into a routine – a rut, really – and they’re not connecting like they once did.

If you’ve reached that place in your marriage, you might be thinking, “This isn’t what I had in mind.” The good news is that’s not what the Bible says God has in mind for you, either.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: broadcast, couples, faith, marriage, relationships April 30, 2019 by Jim Daly