The COVID-19 toll is often tallied and reported in terms of deaths, hospitalizations and overall cases of the virulent pathogen.

Yet, data is beginning to show that the tragic consequences of the year-long pandemic extend far beyond the physical and into the financial, emotional, mental and spiritual dimensions of our lives.

Here at Focus on the Family, our counselors report a steady uptick in calls from hurting individuals. In fact, it’s not just that we’re hearing from more people than usual – but that the challenges they’re sharing with us seem to be darker and more devastating than ever before.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

I don’t cook dinner very often. I think Jean prefers it that way. Her degree is in biochemistry. Not only is she smart, but she naturally thinks in terms of precision. Recipes are to be followed. If the instructions call for one cup of flour, she’ll measure exactly one cup. She’ll even use a knife to scrape off the excess, so the amount is perfect. She’ll even add more if it’s not quite full.

As for me, well, let’s just say I’m a “free spirit.” Scraping away excess flour is a waste of time to me.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Every married couple faces an Everest – a mountain-sized struggle that can only be overcome by scaling the problem together. In Captain Harold and Rachel Earls’ case, the Everest was literal.

Harold was a cadet at West Point when he wrote his bucket list. The top two dreams were “get married” and “climb Mount Everest.”

In 2016, those dreams collided when Harold told his new bride of only a few months that he planned to travel to the other side of the world and climb the tallest – and most dangerous – mountain on earth.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage February 3, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Ladies, today I’ve got a simple idea that’ll help you create a happier marriage: affirm your husband.

Right away, you may be thinking: “Affirm him? Where’s my affirmation?”

I get it. No doubt your husband has plenty of areas where he could improve. And praising him can be a challenge if he’s not reaching out to you in a meaningful way. But hear me out.  Affirmation is the key that unlocks your husband’s heart. He craves respect – from his boss, from his kids, and from you.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage January 26, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Here at Focus on the Family, we routinely receive heartbreaking messages like this one: “My spouse just told me they don’t love me, and we shouldn’t stay married. What can I do?”

You may have the same question if your marriage has encountered a similar problem. The answer, according to counselor and author Dr. David Clarke, is to implement an aggressive strategy of “tough love” as soon as possible.

That means showing strength and taking decisive action.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage January 12, 2021 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Did you get married to work a job? To do laundry? To pay bills?

Of course not. Yet, most couples wind up with marriages in exactly that kind of “ho-hum” condition. Sooner or later, the euphoria of the wedding ceremony fades away and life settles into a daily grind of often-mundane activity. Careers are chased, children are born, and ever-larger homes are purchased. Or newer and newer cars sit outside of garages filled to the roof with stuff we’ll never use.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage December 21, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Researchers say that, on average, a person makes 35,000 decisions a day.

Creamer in our coffee or black?

Get out of bed now or later?

Scratch our head with our left hand or our right?

Answer our phone or not?

There’s one decision that we often don’t think of as a choice – loving our spouse. We talk about love as if it’s an outside force. We say, “It was love at first sight.” Or we “fall in love.” Love is a feeling that we chalk up to chance or chemistry rather than making a conscious decision to act toward our spouse in loving ways.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage December 17, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura

Satan wants to destroy your marriage.

That’s no scare tactic. Satan hates marriage because it reflects God’s divine image and is a mechanism through which He influences the world. Strong, healthy, god-fearing marriages produce strong, healthy, god-fearing families and communities. One of the most powerful forces on Earth is a loving, committed couple who use their gifts to love and serve others.

The way Satan attacks couples is through lies that promote relationship myths and fairy-tale expectations.

Topics: Family and Home Tags: marriage December 8, 2020 by Jim Daly with Paul Batura