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490-Putting God First Will Change Your Marriage

Delight Your Marriage

Release Date: 07/04/2025

490-Putting God First Will Change Your Marriage show art 490-Putting God First Will Change Your Marriage

Delight Your Marriage

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...

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489-Harshness to Beautiful Kindness: Marriage Encouragement with Rhonda Stoppe  show art 489-Harshness to Beautiful Kindness: Marriage Encouragement with Rhonda Stoppe

Delight Your Marriage

Marriage is one of the greatest blessings — and one of the greatest refining processes — we can experience. But if we're honest, many of us carry regrets when it comes to how we've treated our spouse, how we've handled conflict, or the words we've spoken in frustration. We don't always recognize how often harshness sneaks into our marriage, chipping away at intimacy, connection, and joy. But here's the good news: God's love can heal, restore, and transform even the most regret-filled moments in your relationship. In a recent conversation with author and speaker Rhonda Stoppe, we unpacked...

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488-Wives, Pleasure Is An Important Part of Life (Really!) show art 488-Wives, Pleasure Is An Important Part of Life (Really!)

Delight Your Marriage

Wives, Pleasure Is An Important Part of Life (Really!) If you're a wife who feels like physical intimacy just isn’t for you... this post is for you. Maybe you’ve been hurt in the past. Maybe sex feels awkward, or painful, or even meaningless. Maybe it seems like something only he wants, and you just go along with it. If any of that resonates, I want you to know: you're not broken. You're not alone. And there is hope. When Sex Feels Disappointing or Painful in Marriage When I first got married, I was so excited. I had saved myself for marriage and imagined physical intimacy would be...

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487-He Died to Himself and She Decided Intimacy Needed to Change: Rebekah's Story show art 487-He Died to Himself and She Decided Intimacy Needed to Change: Rebekah's Story

Delight Your Marriage

He Died to Himself and She Decided Intimacy Needed to Change: Rebekah's Story Rebekah didn’t sign up for marriage coaching. She wasn’t looking for help. In fact, when her husband first discovered us, she politely declined any involvement. He had found the podcast and was quietly listening, learning, and applying. She wasn’t ready. But he didn’t push. He didn’t demand. He just loved her. And that—his sacrificial, consistent, Christlike love—is what eventually opened her heart. When the Husband Leads and Goes First “He died to himself,” Rebekah said, describing her husband...

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486-How a Strong Identity Defeats Shame: Interview With Pastor Drew Hyun show art 486-How a Strong Identity Defeats Shame: Interview With Pastor Drew Hyun

Delight Your Marriage

How a Strong Identity Defeats Shame: Interview With Pastor Drew Hyun Maybe you're a leader in your church, a high achiever at work, or a dedicated family man—but deep inside, you feel the sting of shame. Maybe it's from mistakes in your past, struggles in your present, or simply the pressure of not living up to what you think you should be. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to carry it anymore. Pastor Drew Hyun—lead pastor of Hope Church NYC and executive director of Emotionally Healthy Discipleship—shares how God’s love offers a radical solution. Not just theologically, but...

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485-Strength from Suffering show art 485-Strength from Suffering

Delight Your Marriage

Strength from Suffering Let me start with this: the enemy wants you to believe that when hard things happen, you're done for. You’re weaker. You’re broken. That you can’t be used by God anymore. But that’s a lie. The truth is—God uses the hard things. He doesn’t waste our pain. In fact, Scripture tells us over and over again that it’s through trials that our faith, character, and hope are built.   The God Who Sees You and Knows You Psalm 139 is one of my favorite passages because it’s such a clear reminder: God knows everything about you. He knows your name. He knows what...

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484-Love Jesus More Than Your Pain: Jennifer's Story show art 484-Love Jesus More Than Your Pain: Jennifer's Story

Delight Your Marriage

Sometimes, God answers your prayers in a way you don’t expect. That’s how Jennifer’s journey began. She and her husband had been married for 30 years, with three beautiful daughters. On the outside, everything seemed steady—but inside, Jennifer was silently struggling. Depression, anxiety, deep wounds from trauma, and the weight of parenting adult children had left her feeling exhausted and emotionally distant from her husband. She was in a dark place. But God. Her husband was the first to find Delight Your Marriage. Quietly, he joined our men's program. At first, he didn’t even tell...

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483-The Truth About Female Desire: Interview with Dr. Juli Slattery show art 483-The Truth About Female Desire: Interview with Dr. Juli Slattery

Delight Your Marriage

If you’re a wife who loves God and loves your husband, but you’re wondering… Why don’t I want sex? Why does my husband want it more than I do? Am I broken for not desiring intimacy? …you’re in the right place. We want to remind you that you are not broken. You’re not alone. And God isn’t disappointed in you. In this conversation, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Juli Slattery—clinical psychologist, author of 14 books, and founder of —to talk about real struggles Christian wives face around intimacy, low desire, and how to walk toward healing with God’s help....

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483-The Truth About Female Desire: Interview with Dr. Juli Slattery show art 483-The Truth About Female Desire: Interview with Dr. Juli Slattery

Delight Your Marriage

If you’re a wife who loves God and loves your husband, but you’re wondering… Why don’t I want sex? Why does my husband want it more than I do? Am I broken for not desiring intimacy? …you’re in the right place. We want to remind you that you are not broken. You’re not alone. And God isn’t disappointed in you. In this conversation, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Juli Slattery—clinical psychologist, author of 14 books, and founder of —to talk about real struggles Christian wives face around intimacy, low desire, and how to walk toward healing with God’s help....

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482-Loving Your Spouse Well When You Feel Down show art 482-Loving Your Spouse Well When You Feel Down

Delight Your Marriage

Loving Well When You Feel Down Even the strongest marriages go through hard seasons. Whether you're facing emotional burnout, stress, or feeling spiritually distant, it's easy to feel like you have nothing left to give in your relationship. So how do you love your spouse when you feel depleted? This post is your quick “reset”—a reminder of what really matters in marriage and how to keep moving forward, even when your heart feels heavy. Why Your Marriage Matters in God’s Eyes Jesus gave us two commandments that anchor everything else: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul,...

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More Episodes

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."