Love is a good thing. A blessing. A beautiful gift that keeps on giving. And when we are on the receiving end of romantic love, our hopes and prayers for companionship, family, and “until death do us part” seem to be right on track. And then, inevitably, somehow, we get off track and head our own way. Oh, we don’t mean to. But despite our best

Arguments happen. Despite what you’ve read, “happily ever after” is not the goal. And that’s a good thing. It puts too much pressure on our happy relationships to be perfectly in sync all the time. The longer we live and grow together, the more we tend to accept that discord and disagreements are part of our relationship “ever after.” And that’s

Some of us feel ashamed that we can’t push the negativity away by focusing on our faith or service. Some of us feel powerless when we simply can’t think happy thoughts or “get over” an overwhelming train of thought. And some of us don’t know how to head off negative thinking before it takes hold and interferes with work, rest, and our

Since the first Evite arrived, you’ve been tense. Worrying. Wracking your brain for the most believable way to say you won’t be there, or anywhere, no matter how merry the event. Too many people in enclosed places, staring at you and small-talking, making you want to run for the hills. Not deck the halls. Yet, you know there is more to the life

During the holidays, you promised yourselves you would not fight about them this year. But as the credit card swipes increase, it starts to grate on your nerves by mid-November, and the pile of receipts for things no one will remember by mid-February is like kindling to the burning irritation that comes with watching your budget go up in smoke

To be betrayed by your spouse or partner is excruciating. There is no reason to pretend otherwise. If you are currently in this kind of pain, please don’t feel you have to deny it or “get over it.” You are well within your rights to hurt, to feel it deeply, and to cry out to God for comfort. The vows you took were binding. They knit your hearts

Blending families is a labor of love, patience, and perseverance. Your combined family will need your persistent prayers to thrive. And your relationship must be shored up and well-supported to cope with everyday challenges. Mixing your new marriage, roles as parents and step-parents, and the unpredictability of children who may struggle with

“Snap out of it!” Maybe you’ve heard it from half-joking friends who just want you to be well. Or your partner said it in a moment of frustration. Perhaps you repeat it silently to yourself when the dread and panic start to rise again. Does it ever really work? Of course not. Most of the recovery and growth that we need to do requires patience,

The promise to love each other forever is a serious commitment. Some people get so overwhelmed by the gravity of it that their feet go cold for a while before they say “I do.” Others are so excited by the possibilities that they run down the aisle. Either way, nervous or gung-ho, you want your marriage to be blessed and healthy. You want it to

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”   Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)   Faith and fear are not friends.   We are directed to “fear not.” We are told to believe without dismay or despair. And we are commanded to “be