All Articles for Staying Married

6 Prayers for Marriage When You Need a Mirac...

Whether or not God answers your prayers for marriage the way you want Him to, praying is still worth the time and effort.

What Romance Is … and Isn’t

Do you and your spouse have the same definition of what romance is? Often in marriage, romance suffers an identity crisis.

10 Ways to Say ‘I Still Do’ After 40 Yea...

No one has a perfect marriage—we certainly don't. But we strive daily to walk closely with God to have a marriage that glorifies Him.

Can Marriage Counseling Improve Your Sex Lif...

Before counseling, my husband and I misunderstood each other all the time. Which made vulnerability (and as a result, sex) difficult.

10 Ideas To Give Your Marriage a Fresh Start

Wading through a down season? A fresh start for your marriage means more than cooking up a few romantic moments.

What Does the Bible Say About Sex?

A sexual relationship in marriage teaches us something about the nature of real love—God’s love.

Happily Married? A 10-Step Relationship Asse...

It’s been a tough year on marriages. But make no mistake: happily married isn’t the same as easily married.

In His Corner: 32 Ways to Honor Your Husband

It’s far more acceptable for men to be pro-women—or women to be pro-women!—than to honor your husband. But it's been a jetpack for my marriage.

Spouse or Children: Who Comes First?

Kids often take up most of our physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. But when it comes down to it, who comes first, spouse or children?

husban and wife having a serious discussion

Is My Marriage Over?

When you’re asking, “Is my marriage over?”—it’s from a piercing, reeling position you never hoped to see. Is getting a divorce your only option?

married couple arguing

Married to a Stranger? 5 Tips to Know Your S...

Ever find yourself thinking you’re married to a stranger? You aren’t alone. Here are a few ways to start getting to know your love again.

real love

Real Love vs. Fake Love: What Does Real Love...

Wondering if what you have with your significant other is real love? True devotion might not look like you think it does.

Fun date ideas

6 Fun Date Ideas You Might Not Have Consider...

Running low on fun date ideas lately? Here are some creative ways to have fun with your spouse that you might not have considered.

husband and wife sitting on bed looking at photo album

Need a Summer Vacation With Your Spouse? 8 I...

Aching for a summer vacation with your spouse but don't know what to do or where to go? Here are eight creative ideas for a getaway with your love.

older couple outside with their back to us, arms around each other

Whatever Bad Happens, I Choose Us

You can’t know everything that’s going to happen in marriage, but you can decide ahead of time how to handle it with the promise in your vows: I choose us.

date night in

10 Date Night In Ideas for When You Can’t...

Any semblance of date night just got drop-kicked out the door. But with a little commitment you can still make time together. 10 date-ins get you started.

good apology

3 Steps to Offering a Good Apology

Saying “I’m sorry” is one of the most important phrases you can say in any relationship. But it’s also one of the hardest.

Joy in marriage

4 Habits for More Joy in Marriage

The brain magnet has shown that attachment—specifically, joyful attachment—is the most powerful motivator in life. No doubt, joy in marriage changes a home.

Two men sitting outside drinking coffee

Where Can I Get Help For My Marriage?

We found out that no one is immune from marriage challenges. When we faced a serious conflict, I didn’t know where to turn for help for my marriage.

arrows drawn on the road going straight or left turn.

6+ Questions to Ask When You’re Making...

Wondering which direction you should go with a big decision? Don’t overestimate your ability to mess up your life by taking a wrong turn! 6 Q's to help.

Handling Conflict with Your Spouse

That Same Stupid Fight: Handling Conflict wi...

Conflict with your spouse is inevitable for all couples. Whoever got the idea into our heads that “marriage should be easy” probably wasn’t married.

friendship in marriage

I Needed Her to Be More Than Just My Wife

Then I asked my wife a question that would change the nature of our relationship forever. I needed her to be more than someone who I did fun things with.

How Your EQ Determines Your Happiness in Mar...

One of the most important facets of marriage is highly overlooked—the idea of knowing yourself. Emotional Intelligence isn't as innate as it seems.

Cultivate Oneness in Your Marriage: Water Your Own Grass

Cultivate Oneness in Your Marriage: Water Yo...

In your marriage, will you be the gardener or the consumer?

Hope for your marriage

There Is Hope for Your Marriage

As bad as your situation might be, it is not beyond God’s power to fix.

Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy

Your Spouse Is Not Your Enemy

Satan is our real enemy, and he would love to divide our marriages through suspicion, jealousy, disrespect, and resentment.

women and sex

Women, You’re Allowed to Enjoy Sex Too...

My grandmother said to prevent getting pregnant she just "...didn’t do the evil thing!” No disrespect to her but sex is not dirty or shameful.

how often should we have sex

How Often Should We Have Sex?

We've all wondered the long-echoed question: how often should we have sex? Likely you and your spouse don't agree, but there's no magic number.

workplace affairs

Is It the Man or Woman’s Job to Preven...

Mike Pence, among many men, committed to not being alone with a woman in the workplace. Is this offensive to working women who don't have the same option in the male-dominant workforce?

ways to be a better husband

4 Ways to Be a Better Husband

In year one of marriage, we did a lot of right things to be good spouses. But for marriage to last, it has to be based on more than a few early habits.

flirt on social media

7 Ways to Flirt on Social Media

Sure, social media has been known to ruin a marriage or two. But if used in appropriate ways, it's a tool to actually strengthen your bond.

fun marriage

Marriage Should Be Fun

Fun and laughter can illuminate our world by reminding us life is not supposed to be so serious.

talking with spouse

7 Ideas to Get Your Husband to Talk to You

I don’t just want to connect with him just for me. I want to both know him and be known by him. I want my husband to join in our conversation too.

close-up of man chopping green onions

Dull Knives and Missed Opportunities

That’s when the crying turned ugly. The early tears were sadness. But these were regret. I was lamenting a missed opportunity.

wife wants sex

When My Wife Wants Sex … But I’m Not...

On the fourth night of the honeymoon, I was like, “Babe, I’m spent. Can we just cuddle?” You ever been there? Turning down the lady’s advances?

be a better wife

15 Ways to Be a Better Wife

I polled other women on ways to be a better wife. Because I never want to assume that I have all the right wife answers. Let's see if our husbands agree.

I don't love him anymore

I Don’t Love Him Anymore

I no longer felt anything for my husband. That thought terrified me--I don’t love him anymore. "Would I be happier with someone else?" I wondered.

husband and wife kissing

25 Things Husbands Should Start Doing

The following list is a great way to start loving your wife in a way that makes her flourish.

sexually frustrated

‘I want sex more than he does!’...

One in five women have the higher sex drive. But when our husbands decline—or rarely initiate sex—it leaves us sexually frustrated.

Romantic Summer Getaways for Less

Invest time in your marriage so your family will have a firm foundation.

5 Keys to a Truly Romantic Marriage

Adding a little tenderness to your marriage is easier than you think.

We Didn't Have a Clue We Had a Problem

We Didn’t Have a Clue We Had a Problem

Attending FamilyLife’s Weekend to Remember^® early in our marriage gave us the tools we needed to build a healthy and sustainable union.

Staying close in remarriage

How to Say ‘Not Tonight’ Without...

Is it ever okay to deny his advances? Everybody needs an occasional raincheck, right?

a husband having a discussion with his wife

All My Husband Heard From Me Was ‘BOOO...

After we'd been married awhile, I realized I had gone from Dave's biggest cheerleader to his biggest critic.

improve your sex life

10 Surprisingly Effective Ways to Improve Yo...

Maintaining great Christian married sex isn't always easy. Here are some ideas to help you improve your sex life by coming together often.

young couple with heads on pillows–woman looking at man who is facing away from her

Young, Married, and Unable to Have Sex

Having grown up in the church, it came as a shock to me when my husband and I encountered difficulty consummating our marriage.

setting goals for your marriage

Making Resolutions for a Thriving Marriage

Setting goals is important to maintaining a healthy marriage. Here are a few ideas to help you stick to them.

blue and purple hydrangeas

Maintaining Our Individuality in Marriage

When you look at our marriage you see unity, but you also see each one of us as a different and unique person.

A marriage license is not a receipt

A Marriage License Is Not a Receipt, It’s...

Exchanging one spouse for another isn’t as easy as returning the wrong pair of shoes. Choose wisely from the beginning and forget the return policy.

sex life

How to Ruin Your Sex Life in 10 Easy Steps

It takes little energy, time, or even thought to take your married sex life from great to nonexistent. Here are some tips on what not to do.

Fairy tale marriage

Moving Beyond the Fairy-Tale Marriage

The divine design of marriage calls us to something deeper—to God’s daily involvement. Because we can’t uphold our vows without Him.

Photo Credit: George H.W. Bush Presidential Library & Museum

George H.W. Bush and the Marriage America Ne...

I want my own marriage to resemble the one our 41st president had with his late bride, Barbara.

Not All Millennials Wait For the “Righ...

There’s no doubt that marrying my high school sweetheart benefited us for the better.

Not Another Top-Ten List

You don’t have to look far in order to find advice for how you can improve your marriage. Articles are all over the internet about what you should say to sustain your spouse’s interest, the type of clothes you should wear to appear more attractive, and how you can be even more intimate with your partner.

Healthy marriage expectations

Not Another Statistic

What was the last negative statistic you heard about marriage? Most of us can quickly cite sources that point to the fact that half of all marriages end in divorce.

man and woman sitting on opposite ends of the couch, facing away from each other.

Overcoming Communication Barriers With Your...

Communication in marriage is not easy. But the fight to communicate is worth the work. In the end, you’ll find a thriving marriage rooted in oneness, not division.

Better Marriage

Your Marriage Is Not Your Parents’

Having divorced parents doesn’t mean your own marriage will also end in divorce. You are not destined to live out the same mistakes as your parents.

Every Marriage Needs Community

Marriage Is Not an Island: Our Need for Comm...

At the Weekend to Remember marriage retreat I found a profound sense of community. It reminded me of one simple fact: We are not alone.

Our Fixer-Upper Marriage

Our Fixer-Upper Marriage

My husband and I have learned much about putting our relationship into the hands of the Master Renovator.

couple sitting together smiling

4 Ways to Prioritize Your Spouse Above Your...

In our crazy, fast-paced lives, it’s easy to be distracted from what is most important. Here are some ideas to make more time for the person you love most.

The Secret to Marriage

The Secret to My Marriage

One simple concept will guide you into the relationship you always wanted to have.

Sex matters in marriage

Why Sex Matters In Marriage

Married couples who have sex regularly live longer, have better heart health, enjoy a deeper connection, and can let go of annoyances easier.

I’m Not a Nag, Am I?

Four suggestions on how to be nag free and make life easier for you and your family.

husband and wife sitting at a table together praying

Learning to Pray With My Wife

My journey of committing to praying with my wife for 30 days and the tips I learned along the way.

11 Ways to Show Respect to Your Husband

Some wives don't understand how important respect is to a man. Here are some ideas for how a woman can give her spouse the esteem he longs for.

4 Ways to Harness Your Power for Good in You...

God has given us women the privilege and the ability to bring life to our husbands with our love.

5 Ways to Help Your Husband Step Up to Manho...

A wife plays a pivotal role in her husband’s transition from boyhood into manhood.

Passion in marriage

9 Ways to Feed the Passion in Your Marriage

We need to make a practice of tending fully to the love of our life for a few moments a day, every day.

husband & wife sitting together on a bench

A Hard Act for a Husband to Follow

Here’s a new way to think about leadership in your marriage.

Communication tools for marriage

5 Communication Tools That Saved My Marriage

Early in our marriage, these simple principles changed our hearts and transformed our relationship.

Resolving conflict

6 Steps for Resolving Conflict in Marriage

There is no way to avoid conflict in your marriage. The question is: How will you deal with it?

25 Anniversary Ideas for Couples

Are you looking for some new ideas to help your next wedding anniversary really stand out? Take steps now and begin planning a memorable celebration.

Revive the romance with date night

3 Ways to Recapture the Romance

If you want to rekindle the romance in your marriage, you'll find it doesn't require a lot of money, and it often doesn't even take that much time.

5 Romantic Needs of a Woman

I've spent a lifetime learning about how to satisfy my wife's romantic needs. That means meeting her physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

silhouette of a husband and wife kissing

7 Things to Remember About Sex

Your spouse approaches intimacy much differently than you. Here are some things husbands and wives need to know about sex.

Meeting your spouse's sexual needs

When You Lose Interest in Sex

After you marry you have a duty before God to meet your spouse’s sexual needs. But sometimes healing and restoration must happen first.

Romancing my wife

Your Wife’s 3 Relationship Nonnegotiab...

As you study your wife and learn how to define romance according to her dictionary, you will become an irresistible man.

What Should Be the Husband’s ‘Ro...

If you apply these concepts correctly, you'll experience freedom in your roles and work better as a team to combat isolation and conflict in your marriage.

15 Things Wives Should Stop Doing

I asked some girlfriends, “What should a wife stop doing if she wants to improve her marriage?” This list is based on their responses.

Seven Things I Wish Id Known About Men Befor...

Growing up with my stepdad and younger brother I thought I knew a thing or two about men. While I knew not to change the channel during a football game, not to serve quiche for dinner, and not to attempt to fix a broken doorknob with a rubber band, there were a few important things […]

It’s Not Your Husband’s Job to Make You...

The only way you can experience true joy is by pursuing intimacy with Christ on a daily basis.

3 Ways to Move Toward Oneness in Your Marriage

3 Ways to Move Toward Oneness in Your Marria...

Marriage is like a three-legged race; these suggestions will help you cross the finish line in first place.

A Passion for Building Godly Families

Two ordinary couples who are helping change the world.

Shock Your Spouse and Kids With This Questio...

Here’s a practical way to revolutionize your relationship with your family. But it requires some risk.

Building a Marriage That Lasts

Isolation can be defeated if you are willing to make the right choices to build oneness and intimacy.

Building Your Family With the Right Set of B...

Like the box top of a puzzle, God’s Word provides a necessary picture of what our lives are supposed to look like.

Do I Deserve Marriage My Way?

Do I Deserve Marriage My Way?

Our selfish nature distorts our view of life and marriage. But God has a different plan.

Marriage

Embracing God’s Purposes for Marriage

Women have the tendency to pursue secondary purposes over God's primary purpose.

5 Essentials for a Thriving Marriage

5 Essentials for a Thriving Marriage

Take a few minutes to evaluate how you can improve your marriage relationship.

Giving Up My Independence

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

dad talking to teenage son in a garage

Improve Your Marriage by Being Worse Parents

Parents often put their marriage relationship on the back burner. These four principles will help you balance working on your marriage while attempting to raise children.

Wedding and marriage

Is Marriage a ‘Dying Institution’...

Marriage is facing some big challenges today, but that doesn't mean we should replace it with something different.

Is Marriage Just a 'Piece of Paper'?

Is Marriage Just a ‘Piece of PaperR...

A growing number of couples are choosing to avoid marriage altogether.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Marriage Is Not Our Ultimate Destination

The real 'happily ever after'

On the Mountaintop or in the Valley

We found that attending a Weekend to Remember® marriage getaway was a different experience at different points in our lives.

The Futility of the 50/50 Plan

One the surface, this approach to marriage sounds reasonable, but in the end it won't work.

God’s Purposes for Marriage

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

God's purpose for marriage

How Should We Define Marriage Today?

What does it mean for followers of Christ to live in a culture that often defines marriage differently than the Bible does?

A Surprise Celebration

What started as a family reunion turned into a time of intense gratitude for the goodness of God in giving us the years my husband and I have had together

What the Latest Shooting Taught Me About Pro...

How a husband can best protect his wife from the evil that lurks in this world.

Repentant spouse

3 Characteristics of a Repentant Spouse

If you want a strong marriage, there comes a time to be honest about yourself.

What Should Be the Wife’s ‘Role...

While the Bible doesn't apply our modern word "role" to marriage, the Scriptures are clear about the unique responsibilities God assigns to a wife.

black & white photo of a couple arguing.

Managing Emotions in the Midst of Disagreeme...

The goal of a balanced communicator is to properly manage and express both thoughts and emotions.

50 Things To Say to Your Husband to Make Him...

Your words have great power in the life of your husband ... they can lift him up and give him confidence, or they can beat him down.

Loneliness in marriage

Are You Married and Lonely?

Most people believe marriage is the cure for loneliness, but you actually began battling the dreaded foe of isolation when you drove off on your honeymoon.

5 Biggest Little Ways to Improve Your Marria...

A few small actions carry surprising power in building a lasting relationship.

husband putting dishes in dishwasher

3 Practical Steps to Biblical Leadership in...

For the sake of our wives, we must once again assume our role as leaders who execute our God-given responsibility with humble hearts and loving service.

Love your wife

Do You Love Your Wife Out of Obligation?

It takes courage for husbands to fulfill God’s calling to love their wives for a noble purpose.

husband kissing the forehead of his wife, who is smiling & holding a cup of tea.

Giving Your Spouse the Freedom to Fail

Six gifts you can give that remove the pressure to perform.

Romance for Dummies

Romance isn’t something you bring out on special occasions. It's one way you can express your care and love for each other.

Communication in marriage

10 Rules for Good Communication With Your Hu...

Good communication requires certain rules and guidelines, which are simple in one sense and extremely difficult in another.

My dad's advice about love and marriage

My Father’s Secret to Staying in Love

As a wonderful example of a godly husband and father, I've always been able to go to my father for advice about anything.

Intimacy in marriage

A Great Love Life Without 50 Shades of Anyth...

These five steps have personally helped me have enjoyable and satisfying intimacy with my husband.

What Husbands Wish Their Wives Knew About Me...

A wife can help her husband be what God wants him to be by understanding his needs.

2 women and a man, smiling and chatting

10 Ways to Let Your Husband Know You’r...

Don't let another day go by without communicating admiration for your husband.

3 Priorities for Every Wife

3 Priorities for Every Married Woman

No matter what your marriage stage—newlyweds, raising young children or teenagers, empty nest with grandkids—we share some common needs as wives.

Invest in your husband

3 Tips for Investing in Your Husband

Likewise, you can strengthen your husband's self-esteem. But first you must recognize where he needs bolstering.

Wife prays for her husband

30 Ways to Pray for Your Husband

A list of things to pray for your husband

Becoming Your Husband’s Personal Cheer...

Your encouragement can breathe life into your husband.

10 Ways to Romance Your Husband

These ideas will help you freshen your love life.

30 Ways to Love Your Wife

Here's a list of non-sexual ways to make your wife feel loved, valued, cherished, and affirmed. It will do wonders for your marriage.

wife looking worried while husband, lying on the couch, looks at her in the background.

Unrealistic Expectations Almost Destroyed My...

In the midst of my pain and self-centered complaining, I exhausted my husband and saddened God.

Love my wife

50 Ways to Inspire Your Wife

Ideas to help you make your bride feel cherished.

Sex and marriage

What if I Want Sex More Than My Husband Does...

If your needs are vastly different than your husband's needs, work together to find the right balance or compromise for mutual sexual fulfillment.

Defeating Selfishness in Your Marriage

Defeating Selfishness in Your Marriage

Marriage offers a tremendous opportunity to do something about our tendency to go our own way.

Recovering intimacy after an affair

Recovering Intimacy After an Affair

If you're willing to wade into the deep waters, God will help you put the pieces of your broken relationship back together. You can survive—and even thrive.

Shut Up and Listen

It was one of the biggest conflicts of our marriage. And as I sat there full of anger and self-righteousness, I knew that I hadn't handled it correctly.

When my husband needs help

When Your Husband Needs Help—and Doesn’t...

You have strengths your husband doesn’t have. It takes a bit of wisdom and skill to help in a harmonious, nonthreatening way.

10 Things a Man Needs to Know About Marriage

In a culture of counterfeits and mistruths, marriage needs to be re-branded as an awesome, noble, and challenging adventure.

What Are Your ‘Sexpectations’?

It's easy to allow unrealistic or harmful expectations about sex to run rampant through my mind. When that happens I need to stop and ask a few questions.

Shut Up and Let Her Talk

Your wife's need to be heard is her way of letting you be the caretaker and confidant her mother and friends used to be.

couple riding a tandem bike

15 Ways to Refresh Your Marriage

No matter where your marriage is, it can always become stronger. Here are some ideas for those who want to shake things up a bit.

Are You Listening?

Three communication tips based on wisdom gained from years (and years) of trial and error.

man and woman sitting on opposite ends of the couch, facing away from each other.

Winning the War of Words

Getting to the heart of your communication struggles.

When Sex Is at the Bottom of Your List

Marriage has taught me how different I am sexually from my husband.

Annual questions to ask my wife

10 Questions to Ask Your Wife Every Year

An annual exercise to listen to your wife's words and hear from her heart.

A husband nourishes and cherishes his wife

Nourishing and Cherishing Your Wife

The goal of our love is to see our wives become more like Christ. I must be ready to die to myself as I cleanse her, nourish her, and cherish her.

Renewing romance in your marriage

Romancing Your Man

Renewing romance in your marriage means taking the time to work on your relationship. Epress love to your husband like you want him to express it to you.

Create a handwritten lover letter for your spouse

How to Write a Love Note

The most meaningful of love letters are simply true, humble expressions of the heart. Learn about the elements of a love letter and things to avoid.

The Same Old Argument

The Same Old Argument

It seemed like the 1948th time we’d had the same exchange. But the solution this time was different.

I Never Made It to the Super Bowl

As an NFL quarterback, I yearned to make the big game. But as much as I love football, I realize it can easily distract us from more important goals.

Balancing romance with roles as wife and mother

5 Tips for Investing in Your Wife

Your wife needs your creative energy if she is to become all that God designed her to be.

“Boss” in the Workplace, “...

How does marriage work when the wife has a high-power position in the working world?

How to encourage your husband

Encouraging Your Husband

How you can put wind in his sails.

More romantic marriage

10 Surprising Ways to Increase Romance

Believe it or not, these small changes can amplify your feelings of love without mood lighting or lingerie.

Save marriage

Bill and Vonette Bright and the Early-Marria...

Early in their marriage, Bill and Vonette Bright realized they needed an anchor for their relationship.

Temptation

The Courage to Resist Temptation

One foolish choice made in a moment of weakness can wipe out years of integrity.

woman looking angrily at man behind her

Don’t Let Bitterness Poison Your Marri...

Over time, repeated hurts can build up to destroy a relationship, but these suggestions can help you heal before the damage is done.

building-a-spiritual-foundation-for-your-marriage

Building a Spiritual Foundation for Your Mar...

Make sure you use all the resources and tools God makes available to build oneness in your relationship.

Romantic movies to watch with your husband

10 Classic Romantic Films Your Husband Won&...

These movies fall somewhere in between 'chick flicks' and 'man movies,' with strong romance to please wives, and enough other elements to attract husbands.

Experience deeper intimacy in marriage

Affair Proof Your Marriage

In this on-the-go, always-plugged-in culture, our lives are hectic and our schedules are packed. Here are some ideas to improve intimacy in your marriage.

Romance in a busy marriage

Romance in a Busy Marriage

For mothers, parenting children can be an enemy of romance. Check out these practical tips for reining in a busy lifestyle.

4 Tips for Giving Grace in Your Marriage

4 Tips for Giving Grace in Your Marriage

Don’t let little issues grow into resentment and isolation.

Role as stepparent

8 Steps for Redeeming Your Marriage Relation...

The next time you and your spouse find yourselves in a “discussion,” follow these steps for resolving relational conflicts in marriage.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Choose Your Conflict Style

It's nearly impossible to connect your life to another and not have significant disagreements. These ideas will help you direct your conflicts in a positive way.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Avoiding the Tough Conversations

Let me encourage you to step into the relationship rather than away from it. Be courageous.

Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for Your Marriage?

Do You Have Unrealistic Expectations for You...

Because God is faithful, powerful, and willing, you can be realistic and hopeful about your marriage at the very same time.

Emotionally Destructive Relationship Questionnaire

Emotionally Destructive Relationship Questio...

Help in evaluating the emotional health of your marriage.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Enslaved by Bitterness

These three steps will help you restore freedom in your life.

Fight fair

Fighting Fair

A few ground rules can transform verbal brawls into a communication breakthrough.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

I Love Fall So Ill Overlook Halloween

One of the most important principles for resolving conflicts or differences in relationships is overlooking an offense.

Work at getting along with your husband

My Husband Is an Overbearing Jerk … an...

When did our culture decide that marriage was supposed to be light and fluffy?

My Mate Is Not My Enemy

My Spouse Is Not My Enemy

Viewing your spouse as a gift from God is a life-changing perspective.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

She Learned Her Lessons the Hard Way

Practical suggestions that any married couple could apply—no matter how healthy your relationship.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Speaking the Truth in Love

It's all in the way you package it.

a man and a woman having an argument in front of a blue wall

Tired of Fighting About the Same Things?

Here are three principles that can help you address the issues that keep popping up to disrupt your marriage relationship.

When Conflict Keeps Popping Up

When Conflict Keeps Popping Up

Some issues in a marriage demand ongoing engagement.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Who Is Your Closest Neighbor

What could be closer than your own home, and who could be closer than your own spouse.

whose fault is it

Whose Fault Is It?

Recognizing and fixing a fatal flaw in many marriages: the blame trap.

Why Do We Keep Arguing?

Once we understood each other’s dreams, and once we each realized what the other person was valuing, our attitudes changed.

How to have a Successful Marriage

8 Keys to a Successful Marriage

Looking back, it was easy for us to fall in love. But staying in love, well … that takes hard work.

Man who prays

There Is Nothing Sexier Than a Man Who Prays

Four things men can do when initiating prayer.

Principles to Keep Christ at the Center of My Home

10 Principles to Keep Christ at the Center o...

God has a purpose for our lives and for the homes where we spend those lives.

Balancing romance with roles as wife and mother

Those Little ‘Foxes’ That Rob Ma...

How do you balance motherhood with being an attractive, romantic, interesting wife?

Becoming the Man of Her Dreams

Your wife needs you to pursue a relationship with her—not just when you want sex, but as a way of life.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Honoring and Encouraging Our Wives

First Peter 3:7 tells me to live with my wife “in an understanding way” and to “grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life.”

what-happens-when-couples-pray

What Happens When Couples Pray

Seven stories of couples who decided to make prayer a daily discipline.

20 Ideas for Dating Your Wife

Only you know how to best cultivate and guard the woman God has given you.

Write a love letter or statement of love

The Legacy of a Love Letter

High touch in a time of high tech.

The Freedom of Forgiveness

The result of obeying God and forgiving your spouse is not bondage, but freedom.

Praying Together Makes Our Joy Complete

A radio listener tells how God used the radio to get her attention.

What Every Husband Needs to Know

Most men are not necessarily unwilling to meet their wife's needs; they simply are unaware of what those needs really are.

How to Say ‘Yes’ to Forgiveness

It's very difficult to ask God to forgive those who hurt us, especially when the hurt runs deep.

Twenty Ways to Pray for Your Wife

This topical list will guide you to praying for your wife in every area of her life.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Ten Things a Husband Can Say When His Wife F...

Here is some advice that can help you navigate these waters successfully, including a few good lines that always work.

Relating to wife

6 No-No’s for Relating to Your Woman

If you want to understand and love your wife, here are some things you should never do.

older couple outside, smiling, with heads together

8 Mistakes I’ve Made in Marriage

After 25 years, I can see a few things I should never have done (and sometimes still do).

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Do You Have the Courage to Take Your Spiritu...

These five suggestions are not for the weak of heart.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

He’s Been Gone for Years

We talk about how important marriage and family is, but where are we directing our emotional energy each day?

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

How to Frustrate Your Wife

Two ways husbands can leave their wives needing more.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

I Married Wonder Woman … Now What?

Valuing your wife above everything.

Manhood

Manhood Is Knowing Where the Plunger Is

We should resist the highly-romanticized modern visions of manhood and look to Christ as the true model.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Give Your Wife a Mom’s Night Out

When my husband surprises me with a night out, he shows me that he has a sincere desire for me to have some time to myself. And that makes my heart soar.

Praying for Your Wife

Praying for Your Wife

If you want to pray significantly for your wife, stay tuned to her needs.

When a man loves a woman - How to love your wife as Christ loves the church

What Did Jesus Do?

How do you love your wife as Christ loves the church? For husbands, this involves understanding what Christ does for us, thinks of us, and becomes for us.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

What Will Be Your Legacy?

A challenge for men to become the sacrificial lovers and servant-leaders of their families.

What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Me...

Husband's don't need to 'fix' the problem, just show that they care.

Men who won't grow up

Who’s Wearing the Pants in Your Family...

Why is it that some men can initiate great tasks and conquer overwhelming obstacles at work and remain so passive in relationships or in leading at home?

Why Can’t Women Just Come Out and Say...

Whatever you mean by the statement, it doesn't cut it with husbands in the truth department.

Love my wife

Why Do I Act Like I Don’t Love My Wife...

It’s the underside of marriage, the reality of living with someone day in and day out in a fallen world. We need to see ourselves as we really are.

Gift of forgiveness

Frequent Forgiveness

Even after more than 40 years together, our need to forgive each other is as fresh as it was on our wedding day.

Feelings of guilt and shame about having premarital sex

If You Were Sexually Involved Before Marriag...

I believe a negative attitude about sex wages war against Christian marriages.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

I Needed to Know He Loved Me

My husband knew me—dark and light—and he loved me anyway.

Old typewriter and glasses on wooden desk – FamilyLife Articles

Let It Go

Bitterness often costs us more than forgiving would, even if forgiving doesn't seem fair.

“Letting Go” in Emotionally Destructive Relationships

Letting Go in Emotionally Destructive Relati...

Three steps for experiencing healing and growing in maturity.

a rose laying on a table

10 Ways to Create a More Romantic Bedroom

The bedroom should be a place where love and romance are cultivated, encouraged, and celebrated. And yet it is often treated as a storeroom for clutter.

Ideas to help improve your lovemaking

4 Ideas to Improve Your Lovemaking

Your sexual relationship can be an oasis for the two of you in marriage. These ideas can help relief from routine and a refuge from stress.

How to increase romance with your wife

Before You Touch Her Body

For romance to deepen, here is a truth that should be emblazoned on the heart of every husband.

Revive the romance with date night

10 Ideas to Help You Renew Romance in Spring

This spring, why not bring back to life the buds of romance you once enjoyed? These ideas can help you make romance come alive in the season of new birth.

Keeping emotional love tank full in marriage

Keeping the Love Tank Full

Marriage is designed to meet the need for intimacy and love. Perhaps deep inside a hurting couple is an invisible "emotional love tank" with its gauge on empty.

Write a love letter or statement of love

More Than a Love Letter

Words don't cost anything, and yet when used the right way they are priceless ... truly a gift of the heart.

Overcome the barriers to romance and sex

Not in the Mood? Ask Yourself, ‘Why No...

Whether it’s bad breath, a headache, or hot flashes, something often gets in the way of sex. Here are some ways to overcome roadblocks to intimacy in your marriage.

QA When Your Spouse’s Weight Turns You...

Dealing with a large weight gain in your spouse.

Real manhood

QA Reviving a Diminishing Sex Drive

Communication is the key to making intimacy thrive.

Rekindling the Fire of Romance

It doesn't require much money to revitalize the spark of romance in marriage. What you do need is the commitment to do it.

Encouraging romance

Romantic Ways to Fan the Flames

Ten creative ways to add some sugar and spice to your marriage.

The power of touch

The Power of Touch

Twenty-five suggestions for non-sexual touching.

Bitterness Is Like a Dirty Diaper

Forgiveness is the key to getting rid of the nasty emotions churning inside you.

Forgiving the Unforgivable: Marital Unfaithf...

My husband could not ignore the fact that I had an affair, but he chose to let go of my offense. Then I had to learn how to receive it.

Help! I Married a Sinner

It didn't take long for me to realize my spouse would fail. It gave me the opportunity to practice what I preached.

It All Starts With the Cross

Kirk and Chelsea Cameron describe what has made their “Hollywood marriage” work.

What It Means to Forgive

Thinking about forgiveness in terms of four basic decisions helps us forgive others the way God forgives us.

Gift of forgiveness

When It’s Hard to Forgive

As Christians, we can excuse the unforgivable in others because God has excused the unforgivable in us.

An ‘Oh, Wow!’ Insight on Marriag...

After one of my messages, a man told me about the turning point in his marriage relationship.

Grow into true intimacy

Are You Settling for Artificial Intimacy?

A good marriage isn't something you find; it's something you make. And you have to keep on making it.

husband kissing wife on her cheek

I’m Not Going Anywhere

In marriage we need a love that is faithful to the end—because Christians are a people who lean into the covenant of grace.

Married couple

When Strangers Observe Your Relationship, Wh...

Our world is in desperate need of married couples who strive to love and to serve each other.

Decisions defined marriage

8 Decisions That Will Define Your Marriage

How we answered these questions set the direction and foundation for our married life.

40 Things Husbands Should Stop Doing

Some down-to-earth, practical advice for men who want to step up to their responsibilities.

the-50-50-myth

Why the 50/50 Plan Won’t Work in Marri...

If you're keeping score in your marriage, you're in trouble.

Wishing He Were Your Husband

When you're caught in emotional adultery, these four steps will help guide your heart back to your spouse.

The Popular Sport of Male Bashing

Your spouse is likely to reflect what he or she hears and feels from you

Refresh Your Lovemaking

Here are 18 tips we think your husband will love.

Q & A: Respecting Your Husband for the L...

What to do when you lose respect for your husband.

Q & A: Encouraging Husbands to Lead Spir...

It's important to realize there are different ways to give spiritual leadership in the home.

50 Ideas to Inspire Your Husband

A wife has the unique ability to help her husband feel the freedom to reach his fullest potential as the man God has created him to be.

3-things-your-spouse-needs-to-hear

3 Things Your Spouse Needs to Hear

These simple, heartfelt statements will deepen your love for each other.

A Tribute to Barbara

As their 40th anniversary approached, Dennis wrote the following letter to his wife.

Its All About Commitment

Keeping your vows, not just saying them, is what builds a strong union

Man looking pensive – Encouragement for my spouse

10 Ideas: Workday Encouragement

Even simple acts of support can give your spouse the boost he or she needs during a busy work week.

Conversation starters for husbands and wives

30 Ways to Start a Conversation With Your Sp...

A list to keep you talking with your spouse for a whole month.

A Small Harbor of Reconnection

Just a five-second look helped connect my mom and dad during a frenzy of activity.

Do You Really Need Your Spouse?

True partnerships are cemented by couples who frequently and specifically verbalize their need of one another.

couple sitting on a couch, arms folded, facing away from each other.

Q&A: Engaging an Unresponsive Spouse

Recognizing what is your responsibility and what you need to leave in God's hands.

Revive the romance with date night

Reclaiming Date Night

Intentional sharing and meaningful time together are too important to the health of your marriage to be neglected.

Bible verses to help improve communication

Scriptures to Help Guide You Through Your In...

Ten Bible verses to help family communication.

Talking Through Difficult Issues

You can’t avoid the tough conversations in marriage, but you can conduct them in a way that will ultimately bring you closer to your spouse.

a bass guitar

The Bass I Found on the Bargain Rack

Using word pictures was the key to communication in our marriage.

husband arguing with wife, who looks sad

The Power of Words

One of the greatest challenges of marriage is how you speak to your spouse.

Why It’s Important to Get Away With Yo...

When did you last have time to talk about the important things of life?

Does God Rule Your Mundane?

Seeking grace and serving God in the midst of ordinary days.

No Matter What, I Still Do

Every day, good or bad, my husband and I remain committed to our marriage

After 70 Years of Marriage, They Both Died W...

The love story of Kenneth and Helen Felumlee was anything but ordinary

Marriage

Marriage Requires Humility

Every day, the world bombards you with messages of power, independence, and control. Jesus tells you the opposite: Die to yourself.

Believe the Gospel Today

Reaffirming the truth of the gospel each day is the most important thing we can do to mature in our faith and to build a stronger marriage and healthier family.

God, Holy Spirit

Holy Spirit Love

Moving from loving yourself to loving others.

Treat Him Like a Man

Love your husband without expectation and respect him as the man God created him to be.

Connecting With Your Spouse

Two tips for battling the “illusion of permanence” in your marriage relationship.

Faith and Hypocrisy in the Family

The home may be the place where it’s most difficult to live out our faith—and also the most important.

Your Husband's Two Biggest Fears

Your Husband’s Two Biggest Fears

You can do something about your husband’s twin fears. In fact, he will never get over them without you.

wife looking annoyed with her chin leaning on her hand, and her husband sitting behind her looking away.

8 Lies That Destroy Marriage

Every wrong behavior begins with believing a lie.

Loving the Way Jesus Loves

Everywhere I go, and in every relationship I have in life, I need more of the love of Jesus.

Put Yourself in Your Husband’s Shoes

In order to truly appreciate my husband, I need to practice empathy.

When Your Spouse Breaks Your Heart

You have a choice—you can go through the experience or grow through it.

Christian marriage

What Makes a Marriage Distinctively Christia...

Two factors that make a marriage distinctively Christian.

God's truth

Understanding the Deeper Purposes of Sex

Until we understand why God created sex, we won't make sense of His commands regarding sexual purity, for His commands always relate to His purposes.

Recovering From a Double Mastectomy

How my husband’s love helped me understand that my breasts didn’t define me as a woman.

Marriage Secrets From the Real Experts

“Looking back, I’ve caused us a lot of grief simply because I was a bulldozer. Bulldozers are powerful machines.” “I was a very obstinate guy and wanted things to go my way. Unfortunately … I even hate to admit it … I cheated on my wife for about 10 years of our marriage. She never […]

husband and wife laughing together

Love and Laughter

The God who created the giggle box gave us the privilege of using it.

Becoming Best Friends

My friendship with Jim is built on a foundation of 37 years of shared adventures

Definition of love

How Would You Define Love?

This perspective can make your marriage an oasis in the middle of a thirsty culture. It can give you the ability to love for a lifetime.

Marriage

“I Now Understand That God Truly Wants...

A participant in a pilot showing of The Art of Marriage® shares his experience

My parents stayed together

I’m Glad They Stayed Together

My parents could have taken the easy way out, but they chose to remain committed because it was the right thing to do.

Tom brady

Tom Brady’s Boo Boo

It's probably going to happen to each of us—in a time of frustration, we’ll say something negative we regret.

Is it Really “Nobody’s” Fa...

If we believe in marriage like we say we do, it's time to start taking responsibility for our relationships.

Accountability With Your Spouse

Scripture proclaims the value of mutual support or accountability in marriage.

Good Things Happen Over Coffee

Our devotional time together is my favorite part of our marriage.

Can Marriage Get Better Over Time

High expectations for marriage don’t have to result in disillusionment.

Don’t Do Marriage Alone

These "connecting" components will help you grow spiritually as a couple beyond your expectations.

Are You Helping Your Husband Follow His Drea...

Passion in life isn’t just something that happens; it must be sought.

He’s Not Your Dad, You’re Not Hi...

Your marital relationship will change significantly when your baby comes.

marriage after baby

Helping Your Marriage Thrive After a New Bab...

Your marital relationship will change significantly when your baby comes.

Cherish my husband

Your Husband Needs to Be Cherished Too

Admiring your husband is no less important now than it was the day you got married.

He Just Won’t Talk to Me

How to understand your husband and get the intimacy you long for.

A Demonstration of Faith

When Gary was ready to become the leader in our home, I had to learn to trust in God and allow my husband to perform his God-given role.

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar

A woman's tongue has the power to build up or tear down her marriage.

How Do I Make Love With Children Wrapped Aro...

With a little creativity, you can plan some innovative romantic excursions at home.

honoring dad on father's day

Daddy’s Home

You'll be amazed at how a mom can set up Daddy as the hero of the house in his children’s eyes ... and you'll be amazed at what this will do for your man.

Cherish your spouse

Does Your Husband Need Encouragement?

Your husband needs to be reassured that you still think he's wonderful, even if the rest of the world doesn't. Here are three ways you can build him up.

Encouraging romance

Encouraging Romance From Your Husband

Three steps to provide your husband the safety and encouragement he needs to set foot upon the path to a more romantic marriage.

Of Husbands and Football

I recently pondered why men are so drawn to the game.

How to keep bitterness out of your marriage

Preventing Bitterness in Your Heart

If you tend to carry resentment toward your spouse, here are three steps to help you prevent bitterness from destroying your marriage.

Things I Take for Granted

When was the last time you thanked your spouse for everything he or she contributes to your life?

God can change a marriage

The Surpassing Greatness of His Power

The key to building the type of marriage and family that we long for.

The Power of Love

How God used marriage to impact my past, present, and future.

Know your romantic style

Understanding Your Romantic Style

You probably fall into a pattern when it comes to romance. Here’s help in understanding what you prefer … and even more important, what your spouse desires.

older couple, cheek-to-cheek, smiling while looking into the distance.

Respect your Husband Like a VIP, Then Watch...

Respect is both a verb and a noun—an action and an attitude.

Q & A: A Wife’s Job Description

What is a wife’s job description? What are the duties and responsibilities involved?

Love spouse with a servant's heart.

Strategic Romance

Promoting passion in your relationship.

the-true-story-behind-the-vow

The True Story Behind ‘The Vow’

When Krickitt Carpenter emerged from a coma following a car accident, she didn't know her husband. Here's the story behind the film, 'The Vow.'

Speaking From The Heart

"We have realized now that actually Charlie's ALS is a blessing because God has allowed him to be a voice to share His message of hope and encouragement."

secrets to matrimonial friendship

Secrets to Matrimonial Friendship

If friendship has grown cold in your marriage, or was never given an opportunity to develop in the first place, these suggestions can help you change that.

Running the Race

What encumbrances do you need to lay aside in order to go the distance?

Wedding and marriage

The Key to Running and Finishing the Race

The conclusion to a discussion on Hebrews 12:1-3.

Slaying the Phantom in Your Life

All of us have unattainable mental images of our roles in life, but there is a way to live free from their terror.

Encouraging romance

So the Romance Doesn’t Die

Don't mistake passionate love for romantic love; only one goes the distance.

The Anniversary Blend

When I invest in my marriage today, it makes tomorrow well worth the wait.

10 Questions Every Woman Should Ask Her Husb...

This small exercise will keep your marriage sharp.

Are You Married to Your Smartphone?

Technology is evolving so quickly that many of us are barely aware of how our changing behavior threatens our most important relationships.

Married couple sitting close together looking into the distance

When Romance Is Gone

In our busy world, it’s easy for the feeling of romance to fade away. Take some steps this week to enhance or reignite romance in your marriage.

when-love-happens-at-the-wrong-time

When Love Happens At the Wrong Time

There is value to loyalty and vows for life.

When a man loves a woman - How to love your wife as Christ loves the church

When a Man Loves a Woman

A woman has seven basic needs that a man must learn to meet if he desires to love her as fully as God intended.

What Real Love Is

Can you say "I'm committed to you, no matter what?"

Fifty Shades of Caution

A few years ago my wife, Merry, said to me, “I’ve been hearing about this new book, Fifty Shades of Grey. I wonder if that would be good to read?” “Well, it’s a book about sexual bondage and sadism,” I replied. “Does that sound like something you want to read?” “I don’t think so.” It […]

Caring for loved one – couple washing dishes together

Till Death Do Us Part

If you’re caring for an aging or ill loved one, you’ll find encouragement in the lessons learned and lived by former seminary president Robertson McQuilkin.

wife hugging her husband from behind

6 No-No’s for Relating to Your Man

Intentionally connecting with your husband takes hard work.

Encourage husband

How Can I Motivate My Husband to Get Right W...

Many wives are growing in their faith but are married to men whose Christian growth seems stagnant.

Sex and marriage

Sex Is a Reflection of Oneness

Difficulties in a couple’s sex life often reflect deeper issues in their relationship.

Love my wife

Enjoy Life With the Woman Whom You Love

It's the little things that remind me how much I enjoy life with the wife God has given me.

Marriage off track

Have You Lost that Lovin’ Feeling?

My husband and I lost our romantic spark, and our sense of adventure and fun. We got off track and stopped caring about each other.

With Humility of Mind

The best place for us to practice being "servants of all" is in the home.

why-we-need-marriage

Why We Need Marriage

In an age when so many question the need for marriage, it's helpful to remind ourselves why this was the first institution God created.

Good, bad, and ugly in marriage

The ‘Good the Bad and the Ugly’...

Couples need to learn how to love each other with the love of God.

When Everything Is About Me! Me! Me!

In my effort to build a lasting marriage, I've realized I face a never-ending battle against my natural sinfulness and selfishness.

What does God think about sex?

What Does God Think About Sex?

The Song of Solomon provides an excellent description of God's intention for sex between a husband and wife.

Remember Your Wedding Vows

God designed marriage to be between one man and one woman ... for life

Meeting my husband's romantic needs

How Your Husband Defines Romance

In order to meet your husband's need for romance, you must understand that it means something different for him than it does for you.

Marriage

The Foundation of a ‘Oneness Marriage...

God has given us divine blueprints that offer hope, direction, and purpose for marriage.

Superglue Your Marriage

The world's 50/50 Plan for marriage is destined for failure. God's plan calls for something much greater.

Clues your spouse isn't listening

4 Clues Your Spouse Isn’t Listening

Communication struggles need to be identified before they can be repaired.

married couple in the kitchen facing each other; wife has arms around husband.

Just Tell Me What I Want to Hear

Even when it stings, I'm thankful for a husband who is straightforward.

Open communication in marriage

The Number One Problem in Marriage

Open communication is essential to the life of a marriage relationship.

Mom and Dad walking with their daughter down a tree-lined path

Walking With God in Your Marriage

These seven spiritual disciplines will help you build your house on the rock-solid foundation of Jesus Christ.

Husband and wife cheek-to-cheed, smiling.

Great Dates

It's easy for a married couple to get into ruts—doing the same things together, year after year. Here are some ideas on how to plan a date night.

Romance in marriage

How Can I Increase Romance and Non-sexual In...

The foundation of a marriage is a commitment of unconditional love. Romance is an outward expression of that love ... and a thermometer of your relationship.

Creative ways to please your husband

15 Ways to Please Your Husband

Enhance your husband's self-worth by discovering—and doing—what pleases him.

husband and wife sitting together outside smiling

10 Ideas: Helping Your Marriage Last a Lifet...

Advice from couples who have been married over 50 years

husband and wife sitting together outside smiling

10 Ideas to Protect Your Marriage

Advice from couples who have been married over 50 years

Practical advice for marriage

11 Rules on Marriage You Won’t Learn i...

Here's some practical, counter-cultural advice on how to make marriage work.

After 25 Years, Am I Part of a Dying Breed?

In a world where life hits us hard at every turn we all long for a soft spot with arms that hold, eyes that embrace, and a heart that loves us in spite of ourselves–forever

5-ways-to-keep-your-marriage-covenant

5 Ways to Keep Your Marriage Covenant

It's time to realize our marriage vows are a covenant—a solemn oath made by a husband and wife to each other and to God. Here are some ideas for making a covenantal commitment a reality in your marriage.

Redefining the Vow

What does "in sickness and in health" really mean?

Redefining the Vow? (Part 2)

Readers respond to a recent Marriage Memo

Marriage Is Never What We Expect

I noticed three common themes that developed among responses to a recent series of Marriage Memo articles

Save marriage

After 72 Years They Died Holding Hands

Over many decades of marriage, Gordon and Norma Yeager were hardly apart.

Is There Hope for American Marriage?

Marriage was created by God for our good, for the good of our society, and for His plan to be fulfilled.