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...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
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?
You need to make it one of your highest priorities to pursue your spouse. One of my biggest concerns as a married...
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...
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...
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,...
How Bad Married Sex Can Actually Be Good For You!
Steve meets Michelle.
They fall in love and get married shortly after graduation.
For our story...
Here’s a Killer Valentine’s Day Present For Your Spouse That’s Free!
Are you looking for a meaningful Valentine’s Day without spending a dime? Share the gifts below.
Gift of Words...
Your Spouse is More Important Than Work
It seems like this conversation happened just yesterday, but it actually happened before Cathy and I had kids. I was a youth...
10 Ways to Get Back the Spark in Your Marriage
How do you get that spark in marriage if you feel like you’ve lost it?
How do you rekindle...
Want a Happy Marriage? Stop Asking Your Spouse to Do This.
Don’t you think it would be cruel to ask your spouse to hold down five jobs?
Let’s say your...
I Love My Wife, But I Just Don’t Know How To Show Her That.
If we've said it once we've said it a thousand times: Men and women often don't view intimacy the same way! For...
6 Powerful Ways to Fight Off Fear
Today's post about how to fight off fear is from The Love and Life Toolbox isn't directly about marriage, but it is...
5 Easy Ways to Stop Fighting With Your Spouse
Stop fighting with your spouse…if only it were so simple!
Let’s face it…communication is very complex.
Want 2019 to be a GREAT Year? Ask These 3 Questions.
Longtime TM partner, Scott Kedersha, recently wrote a fantastic post on how to reflect on your past year. While it's not all...
Set These Realistic Goals for Your Marriage in 2019
A few years ago, at the suggestion of a friend, Troy and I began the tradition of setting goals for our marriage...
Last Year Was One of the Hardest Years of My Life … but One...
Most of the time here at Thriving Marriages we bring you the best content we've found around the web for building a...
A Resolution for Great Communication
In this new year, make a resolution for better communication with your spouse! Communication is the process of sharing yourself verbally and...
Why Won’t My Husband Share His Emotions With Me?
Why won't my husband share his emotions with me? It's all...
“Man up.”
“Suck it up.”...
Do You Trust the Person You’re Having Sex With?
Richard Nicastro, PhD, examines how the sexual intimacy stakes rise when you fall in love. He highlights the conditions that either encourage...
Behind Every Fight Is a Desire For Connection
Beth and Paul were sitting on the coach in front of me struggling to connect. They both felt dismissed, ignored, blamed, angry...
Should You Bring It Up, Or Let It Go?
For most of my marriage, I’ve had this question, that I just COULDN’T puzzle out.
It is this: when...
3 Communication Breakdowns You Can Fix Today
Communication is so important in a relationship. It’s the way we express our needs and wants to our partner. But sometimes, the message doesn’t...
Is Shame Ruining Your Relationship?
Dr. Richard Nicastro, Phd, deftly illuminates the undercurrent of one of the most toxic relationship challenges; shame, often at the root of individual distress...
Communication is a Kind of Communion
There’s no doubt about it: Communication is vital in marriage.
When couples don’t share their lives and hearts with each other consistently, the atmosphere in...