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463-Reflect and Refocus: Renewed Vision for 2025

Delight Your Marriage

Release Date: 12/27/2024

500 Episodes! Your Influence & Joining DYM's in Our Next Decade show art 500 Episodes! Your Influence & Joining DYM's in Our Next Decade

Delight Your Marriage

When I hit “record” on the very first Delight Your Marriage podcast 10 years ago, my mic stand was a Quaker Oats container.  I had a dream, a story, and a hope that I thought could help others.  I just had a few loaves and fishes to offer—with a world in need. Now—500 episodes later—we’ve seen Him do it: hundreds marriages restored in our programs directly, many thousands of families transformed through our podcast, lives healed all over the world.  And yet, this milestone isn’t just about what God has done at Delight Your Marriage—it’s about what He wants to...

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499-Sinful v. Holy Fierce Intimacy (Re-Release) show art 499-Sinful v. Holy Fierce Intimacy (Re-Release)

Delight Your Marriage

499-Sinful v. Holy Fierce Intimacy I was confused. There I was a new bride, having saved myself for marriage… only to find out that my new husband wanted me to do SINFUL things. Where did he get all this “inspiration” anyway? Oh, I knew: sinful places. So, of course, I refused. And of course, it brought mutual anger (covering each of our hurt). What’s your story? If it’s even remotely like mine, I needed to change the lens in which I was viewing sex. I wasn’t viewing sex from a biblical standpoint. I was viewing sex from a sexually perverted lens. (Even though I saved my sex for...

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498-Creating Better Habits for a Better Marriage: Michael's Story show art 498-Creating Better Habits for a Better Marriage: Michael's Story

Delight Your Marriage

Creating Better Habits for a Better Marriage: Michael's Story You love your wife. You love your family. And you’d do anything for them. But if you’re honest… things don’t feel quite the same as they used to. Maybe you’re exhausted from work, the baby, or the endless list of responsibilities. Maybe your evenings with your wife now look more like two roommates collapsed on the couch—silent, tired, and just hoping tomorrow will be better. That’s exactly where Michael found himself. A good man. A loving husband. A dad who adored his toddler son. And yet—he noticed the spark in his...

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497-Living a Life of No Regrets in Marriage and Faith show art 497-Living a Life of No Regrets in Marriage and Faith

Delight Your Marriage

497-Living a Life of No Regrets in Marriage and Faith [Re-Release] (Previously Titled: Changing OURSELVES in Light of Eternity) Hello, listeners! As we continue to work on our recording our very first in-person trainings, we hope you will enjoy some of the re-releases from the past few years of the Delight Your Marriage podcast (It has certainly been sweet to us to re-listen and share some of our favorites with you!) For this week, we hope you will enjoy a little bit of Christmas in the summertime as we talk about living life in light of eternity. Christmas is certainly a wonderful time to...

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496-Abiding in God’s Love by Living a Life of Surrender show art 496-Abiding in God’s Love by Living a Life of Surrender

Delight Your Marriage

Abiding in God’s Love by Living a Life of Surrender (Formerly Titled: Real Love Takes Sacrifice) We know the Bible says “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and that He loved us first. But if we’re honest, many of us spend more time wondering, “Does God really love me?” than asking the deeper, more revealing question: “Do I truly love Him?” That’s the heart of today’s message. God’s love for you is unshakable, unchanging, and eternal. The real question is whether your love for Him is genuine—and if it’s showing up in your life the way true love always does: through sacrifice....

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495-Years of Counseling Didn’t Help, But Now After 35 Years They’re Better Than Ever show art 495-Years of Counseling Didn’t Help, But Now After 35 Years They’re Better Than Ever

Delight Your Marriage

After nearly four decades of marriage, Kim and Russ had done the hard work. They had raised five children, invested in professional counseling, read marriage books, and sought spiritual guidance. And still, something was missing. The breakthrough moments they experienced through the years never seemed to last. They still longed for a deeper connection and the kind of love they had always dreamed of. The Pain of “Almost” Fixing It Kim felt emotionally unsafe for far too long. Arguments were frequent, and intimacy had become something to endure rather than enjoy. She said, “We spent tens...

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494-Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Re-Release) show art 494-Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Re-Release)

Delight Your Marriage

Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Formerly titled: Don't Waste Your Impact) It’s easy to underestimate just how much weight your words, actions, and attitudes carry—especially in your marriage. But the truth is, your spouse is the person you impact most in this life. And that impact can either build up or break down. It can draw them closer to Jesus—or push them further away. Whether you're aware of it or not, you are influencing every day. The real question is: how are you using that influence? In today’s episode, we’re exploring what Scripture and research say about the...

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494-Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Re-Release) show art 494-Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Re-Release)

Delight Your Marriage

Don't Waste the Great Gift of Influence (Formerly titled: Don't Waste Your Impact) It’s easy to underestimate just how much weight your words, actions, and attitudes carry—especially in your marriage. But the truth is, your spouse is the person you impact most in this life. And that impact can either build up or break down. It can draw them closer to Jesus—or push them further away. Whether you're aware of it or not, you are influencing every day. The real question is: how are you using that influence? In today’s episode, we’re exploring what Scripture and research say about the...

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493- Fall in Love With Your Spouse Again: Kay’s Story show art 493- Fall in Love With Your Spouse Again: Kay’s Story

Delight Your Marriage

Fall in Love With Your Spouse Again: Kay’s Story Marriage is one of God’s most beautiful gifts—and one of His most powerful tools for growth and sanctification. But even after decades of love and commitment, many couples find themselves asking the quiet question: What happened to us? Maybe you're feeling distant from your spouse. Maybe you’re still under the same roof—but it feels like you're living parallel lives. Maybe you’ve stopped hoping things can change. That’s where Kay was after 33 years of marriage. But her story is a powerful reminder: It is possible to fall in love...

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492-Forgiveness is Key to Better Relationships: Interview with Brian & Heather Mayer show art 492-Forgiveness is Key to Better Relationships: Interview with Brian & Heather Mayer

Delight Your Marriage

Forgiveness is Key to Better Relationships: Interview With Brian & Heather Mayer Forgiveness can feel like the most unfair, unnatural thing in the world. When someone has wounded you—especially someone who was supposed to love you—choosing to forgive may feel like letting them off the hook. But Brian and Heather Mayer’s story reminds us: forgiveness isn’t about the other person’s worthiness—it’s about God’s mercy. And it's the path to freedom, not just for them… but for you. Why Christian Marriages Struggle With Forgiveness Heather didn’t realize how deeply...

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How do you step into a new year with purpose?

Life can feel like a constant rush, can’t it? Maybe you’re juggling tasks right now, trying to get it all done before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st. 

But as we prepare to turn the page on this year, what if we paused? 

What if we took a moment to breathe deeply, to reflect, and to realign with what truly matters?

Believe it or not, you have done a lot of good this past year. Yes, there may be places where you have slipped up or there were hard lessons to learn, but look at the good. And look at the good God has done in you. God loves you. He really loves you. He delights in you! Take a moment to really let that sink in.

God delights in you.

As we step into the new year, I invite you to hold on to that truth.

So, how can you make the new year something that will honor Him and help you grow? Here are 10 things we suggest:

1. Continue to take time to reflect on this past year

Where did you see God’s hand in your life and marriage? Even in the hard moments, what growth or blessings came out of them? By reflecting, you not only honor what God has done but also prepare your heart to hear what He might want to do next.

2. Start your mornings with Purpose

Your mornings set the tone for the entire day. Carve out time to meet with God—reading Scripture, praying, or journaling your thoughts and goals. It doesn’t need to be lengthy or perfect, just consistent. A morning routine focused on Him can help you anchor your day in peace, purpose, and His perspective, rather than the perspective of the world.

3. Prioritize reading Scripture from a physical Bible

There’s something grounding about holding a physical Bible in your hands. It slows you down, removes distractions, and helps you focus on God’s Word. His truth brings clarity and wisdom, especially as you make decisions and set goals for the year.

4. Pace Yourself

It’s tempting to set ambitious goals for January, but remember—life is a marathon, not a sprint. Instead of overwhelming yourself, focus on what’s realistic. Break down your goals by quarter. What’s most important for the first three months? Then build from there.

5. Aim for 80

Perfection is not only unattainable but also draining. Instead of striving for flawless execution, aim for steady, faithful progress. Aiming for 80% will get you much farther than burning out in pursuit of an impossible ideal.

6. Create a Life Vision

If you haven’t done this in our program yet, a Life Vision is about looking at the bigger picture. Who is God calling you to be? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Your Life Vision can guide your daily decisions, helping you prioritize what truly matters over what feels urgent.

7. Take Inventory of Your Relationship with your Spouse this past year

Your marriage is one of the most significant relationships God has entrusted to you. How was your connection this year? Are there areas where you want to grow closer—spiritually, emotionally, or physically? Taking inventory helps you identify what’s working and where you’d like to improve in the coming year.

8. Remember to Defend Against the Enemy’s discouragement

Discouragement is one of the Enemy’s favorite tools to derail us. Be alert to his lies and counter them with God’s truth. Surround yourself with Scripture and people who remind you of your worth and God’s plans for your life. Remember, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

9. Fight the Battle of Comparison

Comparison can steal your joy and distract you from God’s unique calling for your life. Just as the eye and the foot serve different purposes in the body, we each have our roles in His plan. Focus on what He’s calling you to do, not what others are doing.

10. Ask yourself, “What does God want me to focus on?”

At the heart of all your planning and reflection, this is the most important question. Seek His wisdom and guidance as you set your intentions for the year. He knows the plans He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11), and they are good.

Through it all, stay rooted in God’s eternal perspective. Fix your heart on Christ, let His Word transform you, and step into the good works He’s prepared for you.

As we enter this new year, know that we’re here for you. Whether it’s helping you grow in your marriage or deepen your walk with Christ, we’re rooting for you and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for you.

God bless you!

 

Love, 

 

Belah & Team