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490-Putting God First Will Change Your Marriage

Delight Your Marriage

Release Date: 07/04/2025

509-Eternal Marriage Mindset: Living Today for the Streets of Gold show art 509-Eternal Marriage Mindset: Living Today for the Streets of Gold

Delight Your Marriage

Eternal Marriage Mindset: Living Today for the Streets of Gold We get so caught up in the now—our needs, our feelings, our expectations—that we forget: this isn’t forever. And when it comes to your marriage, your mindset matters more than you know. What if the goal isn’t just earthly happiness… but eternal impact? Let’s shift our gaze from the temporary to the eternal—from trying to fix our spouse to faithfully loving them like Jesus. Because your marriage assignment? It impacts eternity. A Marriage Mindset That Reaches for Heaven If marriage is your god, you’ll do it your way....

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508-How Daily Habits Transformed His 36-Year Marriage: Harvey’s Story show art 508-How Daily Habits Transformed His 36-Year Marriage: Harvey’s Story

Delight Your Marriage

How Daily Habits Transformed His 36-Year Marriage: Harvey’s Story Marriage is holy work. Maybe you're reading this today because you're hoping your marriage will change. Maybe you're reading this because you've prayed, "Lord, please help my marriage," when really you mean "Lord, please help my spouse!" I hope this blog and episode will make you feel both comforted and inspired — that you’ll be reminded your marriage can change, not by grand gestures or perfect communication, but by small, faithful, daily habits of love. This is what Harvey discovered as well. That it wasn't grand...

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507-“Marriage First” Makes Your Life Unstable show art 507-“Marriage First” Makes Your Life Unstable

Delight Your Marriage

“Marriage First” Makes Your Life Unstable At the end of my life, I want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”  That’s the goal that keeps me grounded—and I know many of you share that desire. But here’s a hard truth I’ve learned through years of walking with couples: when our marriage or family becomes our first priority instead of God, everything starts to crumble. Why “Family First” Doesn’t Work I once had a conversation with someone I deeply love who said, “You think God has to be first—but I think family should be first.” His heart was...

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506-How to Not Have an Affair: Interview with Gary Thomas show art 506-How to Not Have an Affair: Interview with Gary Thomas

Delight Your Marriage

It doesn’t start with scandal. It often doesn't even start with feelings. It starts with a smile. A moment of connection. A conversation that feels easy—maybe easier than the ones you’ve been having at home. You walk away thinking, That was nothing. But somewhere deep down, you also know—it could become something. If that’s where you find yourself today (or even if you’ve seen the warning signs in someone you love), please take a deep breath. You’re not broken. You didn't marry the wrong person. You haven't done an irredeemable thing with no going back. You’re human. And this...

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505-How a Family Life Educator Took Her Marriage from Good to Great: Jen's Story show art 505-How a Family Life Educator Took Her Marriage from Good to Great: Jen's Story

Delight Your Marriage

How a Family Life Educator Took Her Marriage from Good to Great: Jen's Story Sometimes, the couples who join our programs aren’t on the brink of divorce. They aren’t fighting all the time. They actually have a good marriage. But deep down, they know it could be better. That’s exactly where Jen was when she found Delight Your Marriage. “We Had a Good Marriage… But I Knew It Could Be More” Jen and her husband had been married nearly 15 years. They had three young kids, a busy life, and no major marital crisis. As she put it, “We were not in conflict with each other. We didn’t...

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504-When Your Words Actually Bring Life (And How to Avoid Death): Interview With Ann & Dave Wilson show art 504-When Your Words Actually Bring Life (And How to Avoid Death): Interview With Ann & Dave Wilson

Delight Your Marriage

When Your Words Actually Bring Life (And How to Avoid Death): Interview With Ann & Dave Wilson Do you remember when you first fell in love—how easy it was to cheer him on? You’d light up at his stories. You’d say, “You’re amazing!” and mean it. You noticed everything good. But somewhere along the way, the cheers turned into corrections. The same man who once felt like your hero now feels like your project. And instead of applause, he mostly hears... boo. That’s what Ann Wilson discovered the day her husband, Dave, vulnerably told a room full of women that marriage sometimes...

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503-How a Farmer Learned to Lead & Love in His Marriage show art 503-How a Farmer Learned to Lead & Love in His Marriage

Delight Your Marriage

How a Farmer Learned to Lead & Love in His Marriage On the outside, Jake looked like a happy-go-lucky farmer. But inside, his marriage was falling apart. Control, years of infertility struggles, alcohol abuse, and pornography created a wall between him and his wife. Even counseling couldn’t break through the scar tissue of pain she carried. At one point, she said her willingness to work on the marriage was zero—she was ready to leave. Jake was out of options. Yet, in God’s kindness, what seemed like the worst day became the turning point. His confession of addiction cracked open the...

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502-How to Win an Argument: Interview with Dr. Kevin Downing show art 502-How to Win an Argument: Interview with Dr. Kevin Downing

Delight Your Marriage

Arguments that spiral out of control often leave behind words no one meant and wounds that take time to heal. Escalation may feel like “getting it all out,” but according to our guest today, it is actually poison to a marriage. Dr. Kevin Downing, founder of Turning Point Counseling in Southern California, has spent decades helping couples, pastors, and families find healthier ways to connect. His insights on escalation, self-control, and parenting bring both biblical grounding and practical tools. Why Escalation Is “Pure Poison” That Often Leads to Divorce Research from Dr. John...

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501-Wage War Against Body Insecurity show art 501-Wage War Against Body Insecurity

Delight Your Marriage

Body obsession has been a toughy for me all my life.  Wanting to be thin. Wanting to be beautiful. Wanting to fit into x size jeans. Wanting to see x on the scale. (The number of New Year's resolutions based on this makes me embarrassed.)  And once I am triggered about thinking I'm not thin, I would eat to assuage those hard feelings.  Or other hard feelings, I'd eat. Was it sin?  Was it a sin, for ME?  Let's put a pin in that thought. I think a major way the enemy tempts us nowadays is through distraction.  Is distraction a sin? Well, if God has a will for our...

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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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Putting God First Will Change Your Marriage

If you're anything like me, you’ve found yourself caught in the swirl of responsibilities, relationships, expectations... and distractions. It’s so easy to let the noise of life drown out the voice of God.

Even in marriage—especially in marriage—it’s easy to start placing our hope in the wrong thing. And when we do that, even the good things, like marriage, can become shaky ground.

But what if the real anchor isn’t your spouse, or your role, or your routine—but your relationship with God?

Why Putting God First Can Transform Your Marriage

We live in a world of constant input. Notifications, streaming, social media, endless to-dos. And if we’re not intentional, those distractions steal our attention—and with it, our peace, our purpose, and our priorities.

I've found that when I step away from it all—when I intentionally remove the distractions—I can finally hear God clearly again. Whether it's walking in nature without my phone or sitting in a quiet space with my journal, those moments of silence are sacred. They realign me.

Because when God is clear, everything else becomes clear, too.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” —Matthew 6:33

How Husbands Can Become Spiritual Leaders in the Home

Husbands, you are called to lead your home—not because you have all the answers, but because God entrusted you with that role.

Leadership doesn’t mean control. It means surrender. It means taking responsibility, laying down pride, and anchoring your identity in Christ—not in your wife’s response.

If your stability is based on her reactions, your leadership will always be shaky. But when your eyes are on Jesus, you can lead with strength, consistency, and peace—even if the journey is slow.

“The wise man built his house on the rock… and it did not fall.” —Matthew 7:24-25 (paraphrased)

What Biblical Respect Looks Like for Christian Wives

Wives, I get it. Maybe you feel like you’ve had to take the reins because your husband hasn’t. Maybe you feel stronger spiritually. Maybe you’re just more organized.

But leadership is about role—not ability. And when we as wives step out of our God-given role, we accidentally make it harder for our husbands to rise into theirs.

Respect doesn’t mean silence or enabling. It means honoring the role God has given him, even when it’s hard. And when you do? It makes your husband feel safe, trusted, and invited to lead.

Should I Still Respect My Husband If I Don’t Trust Him?

If your husband has let you down—or worse, betrayed your trust—you might wonder: “How do I respect a man who hasn’t earned it?”

That’s real. But our motivation as believers isn’t based on someone else’s worthiness. It’s based on God’s worthiness.

You can walk in wisdom, set boundaries, and still respect the role. Because when you show honor, you’re honoring God first.

(Need more on this? Search our site for our podcast: “Respect an Untrustworthy Man”)

Why Most Marriages Struggle Without Spiritual Rhythms

If you’ve been running on empty, it may be time to return to spiritual rhythms.

Daily time with God. Weekly check-ins with your heart. Monthly reflection. These aren’t just good habits—they’re lifelines. They give you clarity, patience, and power to live out your role with joy.

Even if your personality makes this hard (mine does too!), it’s worth fighting for. Your family’s health depends on your spiritual nourishment.

What “Helper” Really Means (And It’s Not What You Think)

In Genesis 2, God calls Eve a “helper”—and the original Hebrew word ezer is used most often to describe God Himself as our rescuer, protector, and strength.

Wives, this means your role is powerful, not passive. You have the God-given ability to uplift, empower, and even save your husband in ways no one else can. Not through control, but through encouragement, respect, and faith-filled love.

When Leadership in Marriage Gets Out of Order

The fall of man in Genesis didn’t start with an affair or abuse. It started with misplaced leadership.

Adam was present. He knew the truth. But instead of leading, he followed. Instead of obeying God, he obeyed his wife.

Men, this is your reminder: you are responsible. And women, if you want your husband to lead, you have to let go of the wheel.

Restoring biblical order doesn’t mean a power struggle—it means peace, protection, and purpose.

What to Do When You Feel Hopeless in Your Marriage

You might be reading this with tears in your eyes. Maybe your marriage is hanging by a thread. Maybe you've tried everything, and nothing has worked. Maybe you’re ready to give up.

Don’t.

God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you. And no matter how far things have gone, there is still hope. Even if your spouse doesn’t change right away. Even if it’s just you taking the first step.

Seek God first. Love your spouse like Jesus. And trust that God will do the rest.

Where there is breath in the lungs, there is hope.

 

With love,

 

The Delight Your Marriage Team

 

PS – Ready to take the next step and learn more about our Coaching Programs? We’d love to talk with you. Book a free Clarity Call today:
delightyourmarriage.com/cc

PPS - To watch the full episode on YouTube, click here.

PPPS - Here's a quote from a recent graduate:

"When I started DYM, I was desperate to save my marriage. When Dana told me that I could do more than just save my marriage, but could actually enjoy it, I literally laughed at her. I had given up hope of having a happy marriage. All I wanted was to avoid divorce at all costs. Here we are a year later, expecting our third sweet baby… I did in fact, by Gods grace, do more than save my marriage!! I actually genuinely LIKE my husband!! We are happy and healing and couldn’t be more grateful. God bless DYM. Thank you for having hope for my marital happiness, even when I did not."