loader from loading.io

When Gratitude is Hard Ep. 705

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Release Date: 11/25/2025

Wider Lens: Heart Rehab with Jerry Flowers show art Wider Lens: Heart Rehab with Jerry Flowers

Awesome Marriage Podcast

You all loved this conversation in the fall so we are kicking off our Wider Lens 2026 with a rerelease of this awesome interview. Jerry Flowers is bringing encouragement about the patterns of your life and posture of your heart as we talk through his new book Heart Rehab: Finding the You God Created You to Be. Lean into the discomfort, create disciplines for preparedness, and surrender your need for control in order to step into your true calling as a son or daughter of the Lord Almighty. He loves you, he is for you, and we can trust him with our hearts!   Episode Highlights: Stop blaming...

info_outline Mental Health and Your Marriage Ep. 710 show art Mental Health and Your Marriage Ep. 710

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Marriage is one of the most meaningful relationships we experience—but when mental health struggles enter the picture, it can feel overwhelming for both spouses. In this episode, we dive into how mental health impacts the overall health of a marriage, what couples are really facing today, and why caring for your own emotional well-being is essential for a thriving relationship. Drawing from counseling experience and faith-based wisdom, we address common misconceptions, signs that mental health is affecting your marriage, and practical ways to support a struggling spouse without losing...

info_outline The Road Less Triggered with Dr. Kelly Flanagan Ep. 709 show art The Road Less Triggered with Dr. Kelly Flanagan Ep. 709

Awesome Marriage Podcast

I’m so thrilled to have Dr. Kelly Flanagan back on the show. Today he is talking about his newest book The Road Less Triggered, focusing on the importance of recognizing and managing emotional triggers in relationships. The work of faith, self awareness, and compassion is vital in our relationships. Dr. Flanagan shares how to stay engaged, remain soft, and practically manage conflict in a way that brings connection to your marriage. Episode Highlights: Understanding Triggered Moments in Relationships Your body is an early warning system Living in the security of God's unconditional love...

info_outline Reclaiming the Sabbath Ep. 708 show art Reclaiming the Sabbath Ep. 708

Awesome Marriage Podcast

In a culture that celebrates busyness, rest can feel almost impossible. In this episode, we explore the ancient and life-giving practice of Sabbath and why it matters now more than ever for our marriages and families. What did God intend the Sabbath to be—a rule to follow or a gift to receive? Through Scripture, practical wisdom, and real-life counseling insights, we unpack how rhythms of rest renew our emotional, spiritual, and relational health. You’ll hear practical ways couples and families can begin reclaiming Sabbath together, even in the middle of busy and unpredictable schedules,...

info_outline Worth Repeating: 3 Common Communication Mistakes and How to Avoid Them show art Worth Repeating: 3 Common Communication Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Communication is the #1 issue couples ask for help with and in today’s episode, have got the goods to help you overcome some very common communication mistakes! Whether you need a total overhaul or just a few friendly reminders, today’s episode has practical, actionable advice to improve the communication in your marriage.  Are you making the same mistakes most couples make with communication? Dr. Kim has pretty much seen it all so he’s here today to help us avoid those mistakes, and to build better communication instead.  Episode highlights include:    Three...

info_outline Worth Repeating: How to Make Romance Realistic in Your Marriage show art Worth Repeating: How to Make Romance Realistic in Your Marriage

Awesome Marriage Podcast

How’s the romance in your marriage? How does it compare to when you were dating? (… and does that matter?) Romance can fall by the wayside in marriage because it seems like an “extra” that you’ll get around to when you have extra time or money, or if you feel inspired to make a grand gesture.  But today Dr. Kim shares several reasons NOT to let that be the case in your marriage. Listen to learn why you need to bring the romance back and HOW to realistically make that happen.  We pray this episode is helpful for you and your marriage.    Episode highlights...

info_outline Worth Repeating: Deepen the Emotional Intimacy in Your Marriage show art Worth Repeating: Deepen the Emotional Intimacy in Your Marriage

Awesome Marriage Podcast

Want better connection with your spouse? One thing we hear a lot from couples is that they don’t feel close to each other or that their relationship feels like it’s missing some depth. That’s why today we’re re-airing this episode from Dr. Kim and Christina that talks all about emotional intimacy and gives you ideas of practical ways to deepen the emotional intimacy in your marriage.  We pray this episode is helpful to you and your marriage.  Episode highlights include:   What is emotional intimacy, and why does it matter?  Warning signs you need to grow in...

info_outline Worth Repeating: How To NOT Fight With Your Spouse About Money with Julie Baumgardner show art Worth Repeating: How To NOT Fight With Your Spouse About Money with Julie Baumgardner

Awesome Marriage Podcast

The Awesome Marriage Podcast is on winter break, and over the next four weeks we’ll be sharing some of our favorite past episodes with you. First up: Finances! No one loves talking finances, but we do think you’ll love today’s conversation with Julie Baumgardner! Julie shares how to get curious about what money means to your spouse, how two spouses’ separate financial backgrounds and “money stories” can stop being a source of tension, and start becoming a shared value.  Listen to this episode if you’re ready to get on the same page with your spouse about finances this season...

info_outline More Than Mistletoe: Staying Spiritually Rooted and Emotionally Connected in Your Marriage This Christmas Ep. 707 show art More Than Mistletoe: Staying Spiritually Rooted and Emotionally Connected in Your Marriage This Christmas Ep. 707

Awesome Marriage Podcast

The holidays promise joy and togetherness but for many couples, they also bring stress, busyness, and mismatched expectations. In this episode, we’re helping you slow down, reconnect, and approach the season with intention. We talk honestly about why couples often drift spiritually and emotionally in December and offer simple, realistic ways to stay grounded in Christ and connected to each other. From aligning holiday expectations to creating meaningful traditions, you’ll walk away with practical tools to cultivate peace, gratitude, and unity in your marriage. Whether this season feels...

info_outline ‘I Do’ Today and Tomorrow and Forever: Staying Intentional with Chelsea Smith Ep. 706 show art ‘I Do’ Today and Tomorrow and Forever: Staying Intentional with Chelsea Smith Ep. 706

Awesome Marriage Podcast

No matter what season of marriage you’re in, intentionality is essential. It’s what keeps the spark alive, rekindles romance, and helps you withstand the temptations and pressures of everyday life. Chelsea Smith joins me to talk about her new book, “I Do” Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You’ve Been Waiting For. This conversation will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you to pursue a marriage marked by purpose, growth, and joy because you were never meant to settle for anything less than an awesome marriage. Episode Takeaways: A healthy sex life is vital for a...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Gratitude can feel effortless when life and marriage are smooth—but what about when it’s hard? In this episode, we explore how to practice honest gratitude even in seasons of struggle, disappointment, or unmet expectations. From grief and loss to conflict and emotional distance in marriage, we discuss ways couples can rebuild appreciation for each other, lean on God in difficult times, and use gratitude as a tool for hope, healing, and unity. Be encouraged to find thankfulness rooted in faith, not just feelings, even when your heart is hurting.



Main Takeaways:

Gratitude is challenging in seasons of struggle.

 

Honest gratitude is rooted in faith, not feelings.

 

Gratitude strengthens marriage and protects against division.

 

Spiritual rhythms help cultivate thankfulness.



Quotes from this Episode:

Choosing gratitude when you don't feel it isn't fake—it's faith in action. Sometimes, obedience comes before emotion.

 

When disappointment builds, we keep a mental ledger of failures and let resentment choke out gratitude. 

 

Shifting your focus from what's wrong to what remains right isn't denial; it's a courageous act of faith, especially when you're hurting.

 

Gratitude flourishes when you intentionally move from deficit thinking to abundance thinking.

 

Don't compare your spouse to others—celebrate who they are and who they have become.

 

Feelings follow actions. Don't wait to feel grateful—do the grateful thing, and let your heart catch up.

 

Lament is honest, gratitude is hopeful. We need both, because lament without gratitude turns to bitterness, and gratitude without lament turns to denial.

 

Radical gratitude trusts in God's character, not in our circumstances.




Couples Conversation Guide:

"When life or our marriage feels hard, what makes it difficult for you to feel thankful? How can we support each other in those times?"

 

"How can we remind each other to choose gratitude rooted in faith, even when our emotions don’t match our circumstances?"

 

"Are there ways we’ve lost sight of what we appreciate about each other? What’s one thing we can start noticing and thanking each other for this week?"

 

"What daily or weekly habits—like prayer, Scripture, or reflection—could help us keep gratitude alive, even when things are tough?"



Mentioned in this Episode:

Mentioned in this Episode: