About to Lose Your Cool? Here’s How to Have Self Control During an Argument
I hear stories all the time about how couples have lost it in an argument.
One of them hears something that triggers their...
The “Seven-Year-Itch” Is Real … But You Can Avoid It.
My husband and I are leading a Bible study with mostly newlywed couples. After a few weeks, we noticed how often we...
Your Marriage Can Survive, Even During the Hopelessness of Depression
NO ONE GETS MARRIED EXPECTING SOMETHING LIKE CRIPPLING DEPRESSION TO DIG IN ITS DIRTY CLAWS AND WREAK HAVOC, BUT IT HAPPENS ALL...
Good News! Your Spouse’s Needs Aren’t As Hard to Meet as You Think. This...
My wife is super in to any sort of words of affirmation. It is easily, without a doubt, her number one love...
Husbands, Love Your Wives Like Jesus. Here’s 3 Tips For How to Do That.
Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her – Ephesians 5:25
We have all read it...
“Why Am I So Angry?” How to Discover What’s Really Behind This Potentially Destructive...
Did you know that anger is actually a secondary emotion? This means that at the core of everything you’re feeling, your anger...
Close the Loop: The One Vital Habit That Will Keep Your Marriage Moving Forward
The moment you do or say something that hurts your marriage partner, you stand at a fork in the road. Whether you...
Love Is a Choice, Especially When You’re Not Feeling It.
When my wife and I were going through marriage problems, the last thing that I wanted to hear was love is a...
The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Why Most of Our Fights Start in Our Imagination...
In her recent Netflix special author, researcher, and all-around national treasure Brené Brown describes an argument she had with her husband. They were...
Ultimatums Are Bad, Right? Actually, They’re VITAL For a Thriving Marriage. Here’s Why.
When things happen in married life, whether bad or good, a common reaction is to blame (or give credit) someone else.
While they may have...
Actually, Communication in Marriage Isn’t What’s Most Important. What Is Might Surprise You.
What you have probably heard is the number one problem is communication in marriage.
I don’t believe that’s the case. It’s a problem,...
Are Toxic Family Members Hurting Your Marriage? Here’s What to Do.
MEYGAN AND I BOTH ADMIT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES WE'VE MADE EXCUSES FOR THE BEHAVIOR OF OUR TOXIC FAMILY MEMBERS BECAUSE…...
102 Words of Affirmation Every Wife Longs to Hear
People can't get enough words of affirmation. A while back I was speaking and asked for a show of hands, “How many of...
Not Sure How to Write a Love Letter? Here Are 100 Love Letter Prompts
If you want to know how to write a love letter, check out this best list of love letter prompts on the...
It’s Not About the Nail? Actually, Sometimes It IS About the Nail
It's Not About the Nail was a popular marriage video that made the rounds (we've done a post on it!. This post is...
7 Tips on How to Keep a Long Distance Marriage Thriving
MARRIAGE IS A WILD AND CHALLENGING JOURNEY ALL ON ITS OWN.
So it makes sense that, no matter the reason, when you add...
How to Ask For What You Need Without Arguing
Sometimes you just have to ask your husband for what you need!
I’ve been talking all month about how to change the dynamic...
What to Do When You Are Last on Your Spouse’s To Do List?
Today's post from the always-helpful America's Family Coaches is a great conversation starter between you and your spouse. The desire to feel...
Your Marriage’s Scratches and Dents Are What Make It Priceless. Here’s Why.
Mike and I recently attended a wedding. The bride was stunning, and the groom gleamed with pride. Not a dry eye in...
Sometimes Your Spouse Doesn’t Want Your Help. Here’s The Reason Why.
The scene is a couple driving in the car on the way to dinner:
Silence for several minutes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
A few more minutes of...
Bids for Connection: The Tool This Expert Says Is the Secret to Great...
It’s not big, blow out fights that wreck a marriage. It’s how we treat each other day to day. And that’s why...
Messy v. Neat Freak: How to Navigate the Cleanliness War In Your Marriage
Q: One of us is very neat, but the other is very messy. How can we keep from driving each other crazy?
A:...
1 Secret Every Man Needs to Know About Their Wives
Every day we hear from men who desperately want help and encouragement for their wives. Most commonly, they complain that their wives...
We All Believe Lies. Which Ones Do You Struggle With?
A few weeks ago I moderated a late night panel at the Merge premarital class at Watermark Community Church. The panel included two couples who...
Want to Improve Your Marriage? These 3 Small Changes Will Lead to Huge Results.
I am often trying to find ways of making myself a better person. I imagine all of us at some point wish we...
Husbands, Your Wives Need These 10 Things, They Just Don’t Know How to Ask
I remember watching What Women Want not long after its release in 2001. The movie chronicles a man, Nick Marshall, who receives a fresh...
Tone Deaf: Is What You’re Saying Hidden By How You’re Saying It?
I've said this several times, but Doug Fields is both a ludicrously gifted communicator and a very kind mentor and friend of...
What Are You Doing to Pursue Your Spouse?
One of my biggest concerns as a married man is that our home and marriage would become boring. I fear getting stuck...
Your Spouse’s Perspective Is Annoying. You Should Listen Anyway!
I don’t know about you, but I often overlook the Lord’s eternal perspective. He sees all of time, from beginning to end,...
The Only “Fair” Marriage Is When Both Spouses Give 100 Percent.
Happily married Eric and Jill climbed out of bed at their normal Saturday morning hour. They had a lot to do around...
Self-Righteousness is Satan’s Favorite Attack Against Your Marriage. Here’s What You Can Do About...
What if one of the most dangerous attitudes for believers is self-righteousness?
What if it’s possible to be “right” and toxic at the...
Husbands, We Need to Be Fully Present With Our Wives. Here’s How.
I’ve had a lot on my mind lately, but I feel like most men do. We think about our bills, the check...
Does Your Sex Life Feel Broken? You Can Always Rebuild It! Here’s How.
Today a reader is asking, “how do you reset your sex life?”
What if it’s been really difficult in the past, but now...
Silence Isn’t Always Golden. Your Marriage Needs Your Voice
While today's fantastic post from Pure Couples is written to women, this is something that applies to everyone. A marriage needs the...
The 3 Biggest Obstacles to a Healthy Marriage, and the Tools To Overcome Them
The other day I was telling my coworker stories from the early days of my marriage. It was one of those moments...
Want a Happier Marriage? Practice the Power of Positivity
One of the most often asked questions I get related to relationships is, “What are key ingredients that make up a successful relationship?” The...
Is Your Past Hurt Making You Kind or Cold To Your Spouse?
Today's post from Doug Fields doesn't directly mention marriage, but man is it so applicable. In marriage our personal wounds, past experiences,...
4 Ways To Build A Strong Community That Supports Your Marriage
We all need a marriage community – a support system around us of couples our age, and maybe a mentor couple that’s a...
36 Conversations That Will Turn Your Spouse On
Married couples should flirt and have intimate conversations. You stoke the fire of your interest about anything (i.e., job, hobby, faith, politics,...
How To Have Healthy Boundaries With Your In-Laws
Q: My mother-in-law really has my husband under her thumb. How can I get her to back off without hurting either of...
5 Signs That Your Marriage is Going to Make It
People often ask us, how can I tell if my marriage will last? In some cases, it may not be easy to...
If the Devil Can’t Make You Bad, He’ll Make You Busy
“If the Devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy!” That’s what a friend of mine wrote me on the day...
Prayer Will Supercharge Your Marriage (Including Your Sex Life!)
Hi Thriving Marriages community, this is Josh, the guy bringing you this content each day. In addition to running this site I...
Your Past Can Be a Benefit, Not a Barrier, In Your Sex Life
In our house, we like this show called Impossible Engineering.
It’s documentary style and the basic premise is they look at a phenomenal...
Are Finances Supposed to Be the Man’s Job?
Q: My husband is terrible at handling the finances because he hates paperwork. I like to take care of the bills, but...
6 Great Books to Give (or Read) for Valentine’s Day
You know you love it. Or maybe not. Regardless, Valentine's Day is coming like a freight train and you might be lacking...
This Weekly Routine Will Build the Marriage of Your Dreams
Companionship inventory, marriage meeting, weekly marriage check in or check up- whatever you call it, if you want the marriage of your...
20 Easy Ways to Say I Love You to Your Spouse
These are great ways at Valentine's Day or any time of the year to say I love you to your spouse.
“In It To Win It” Is a Bad Goal For Marriage
My wife, Michelle, and I went on a beach vacation in early January. It was great to get away and to relax....
Good Communication Is Saying the Right Words at the Right Time
You’re in penguin adorned pajamas headed to bed, then your partner starts to talk about their day.
Gritty stuff,...