All Articles for Staying Married

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 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.

Have you ever thought, I just don't get her? You're frustrated at your wife's frustration with you. You desire to please her. But where do you start?

1 in 5 women have the higher sex drive. But when our husbands decline--or rarely initiate sex--it leaves us thinking, What's wrong with him? Or is it me?

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

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

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

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

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

Maintaining the marital bed isn’t always easy. Here are some ideas to help you keep your marriage strong by coming together often as husband and wife.

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

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.

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

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

It takes little energy, time, or even thought to take your bedroom romps from great to nonexistent.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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 […]

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

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

Two ordinary couples who are helping change the world.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

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.

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

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

The real 'happily ever after'

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

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

The uncomplicated yet difficult path to oneness in marriage.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A list of things to pray for your husband

Your encouragement can breathe life into your husband.

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

These ideas will help you freshen your love life.

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.

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

Ideas to help you make your bride feel cherished.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Getting to the heart of your communication struggles.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

How you can put wind in his sails.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

When I was a freshman in college—back when I was skinny and long-haired and pretty inexperienced when it came to relationships—I met a girl named Nancy.  We sat together five days a week in a French class, and at some point we began dating. I wouldn’t say it was serious, but between those dates and […]

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

Help in evaluating the emotional health of your marriage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

It's all in the way you package it.

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

Some issues in a marriage demand ongoing engagement.

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

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

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

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

Four things men can do when initiating prayer.

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

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

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

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.”

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

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

High touch in a time of high tech.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These five suggestions are not for the weak of heart.

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

Two ways husbands can leave their wives needing more.

Valuing your wife above everything.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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?

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Three steps for experiencing healing and growing in maturity.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Dealing with a large weight gain in your spouse.

Communication is the key to making intimacy thrive.

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

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

Twenty-five suggestions for non-sexual touching.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to do when you lose respect for your husband.

Here are 18 tips we think your husband will love.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ten Bible verses to help family communication.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Moving from loving yourself to loving others.

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

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

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

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

Every wrong behavior begins with believing a lie.

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

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

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

Two factors that make a marriage distinctively Christian.

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.

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

“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 […]

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

Your marital relationship will change significantly when your baby comes.

Your marital relationship will change significantly when your baby comes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Promoting passion in your relationship.

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.'

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.

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

"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."

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

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

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

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

This small exercise will keep your marriage sharp.

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

There is value to loyalty and vows for life.

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.

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

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

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 […]

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.

Intentionally connecting with your husband takes hard work.

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Advice from couples who have been married over 50 years

Advice from couples who have been married over 50 years

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

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

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.

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

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

Readers respond to a recent Marriage Memo

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

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