It seems natural to compare ourselves to others. As humans, we compare appearances, careers, marriages, and even spouses. Society encourages it. The chief problem of comparisons is that they’re usually based on romanticized half-truths. Most often when we compare, we base expectations of ourselves on standards that aren’t accurate – they’re perceived.
Reflections On Hardship in Marriage
Over the years (particularly on social media) I’ve seen arguments back and forth about a wealth and prosperity “gospel” and how it aligns (or doesn’t align) with the message of Christ. As I read through some of the articles, I started thinking about how these conflicting messages affect marriage. In John 10:10, Jesus talks about “life to the full” or “abundant life.” What exactly does that mean for…
3 Big Fears Most Couples Face and the Only Way to Shut ’em Down
How many times have we allowed fear to dictate our decisions in marriage? Ryan and I are somewhat opposites in the fact that he is more of a daredevil; ready to summit that next mountain; ride that next wave or simply try a new (somewhat risky) experience without much hesitation. This is one reason why I fell in love with him! On the other hand, I’m…
3 Marriage ‘Mines’ and How to Avoid Them
No idea has impacted our marriage quite like the concept of biblical stewardship. When you hear that word you may have preconceptions about what it means, like how it probably has to do with your finances. That’s part of it, but stewardship is so much more! The biggest game changer for us was the notion that we are stewards, not owners, of everything we have.…
Finances in Marriage: 7 Principles Every Couple Should Consider
Finances are a hot topic in every marriage. It can be insanely stressful, and if we’re not careful we can get caught up in the comparison game. We certainly don’t know everything about this or have a sliver bullet to fix every financial woe in your marriage. However we have learned a few principles that help us stay focused on the main thing: God. Having…
The Importance of Margin in Your Marriage
My mornings are like pure clockwork: I wake up at exactly 6AM, grab some coffee, have 45 minutes of devotions, shower for 10 minutes, take the dogs for a 15 minute walk, play with Adelaide for 30 minutes, chat with Selena about her day for 10 minutes, leave for work at 7:50AM and start working at 8AM sharp. Every day is like that, without exception, and…