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

Delight Your Marriage

Release Date: 11/14/2025

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

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“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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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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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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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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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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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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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.

You’ll chase validation, push for change, demand your rights, and stew in resentment when your spouse doesn’t meet your expectations.

But if God is your God, and marriage is your assignment, you’ll do it His way.

You'll put your spouse before your ministry, before your work, before the kids. You'll think about loving them the way they receive love. You care about peace, patience, kindness, and self-control in your marriage. You value reconciliation and you stop praying, “God, fix my spouse so I feel better,” and start praying, “God, draw them closer to You.”

It’s a radical shift in your marriage mindset. And it changes everything.

Eternal Marriage Mindset: Your Assignment Is Bigger Than You Think

Think about this: your spouse isn’t just your husband or wife. They’re your brother or sister in Christ.

One day, they will stand before Jesus just like you will. What if your daily choices helped them be more ready for that moment?

That’s the eternal marriage mindset. It’s not about temporary comfort—it’s about eternal glory. You’re not just trying to survive your marriage. You’re trying to love your spouse all the way to the streets of gold!

And, by God’s grace, you’ll be dancing there together one day.

You only get one marriage with this person.
One chance to love them well.
One life to serve them, selflessly.

And if that service brings them closer to Jesus? It’s worth every ounce of sacrifice.

Streets of Gold and a Big Ol' Mansion Next Door

But all joking aside, imagining heaven should stir our hearts. Because eternity is real. And that means what you do in this short vapor of a life matters.

If you need help fixing your gaze upward, here’s a powerful recommendation: Wild Near-Death Experiences: Proof of Heaven | John Burke | Ep:365 from the Blurry Creatures podcast.

John is a former pastor, engineer, and researcher who has explored over 1,000 verified near-death experiences—and the common themes are stunning. Even from those with no faith background, many report seeing a being of love, a city of light, a life review… all pointing to the reality of heaven. His ministry, Imagine Heaven, invites us to live today in light of eternity. And wow—is it motivating.

When we meditate on the realness of what’s ahead, our marriage takes on deeper purpose. It becomes a divine assignment with eternal weight.

It’s Not About Them, It’s About You: Taking Ownership in Your Marriage

Here’s the hard truth: You will stand before God alone.
You won’t be able to say, “But my husband didn't…” or “But my wife never…”

This journey isn’t about controlling your spouse—it’s about surrendering your own heart.

If your marriage is struggling, start by asking:

  • Am I doing this God’s way?

  • Am I praying for their character, not just my comfort?

  • Am I serving them with an eternal mindset—or demanding love on my terms?

The shift starts in you.

Final Thoughts: Marriage Is Temporary. Your Influence Isn’t.

Heaven is coming.

And when you get there—your mansion sparkling, the streets of gold beneath your feet—will your spouse be dancing beside you?

Will your love have drawn them closer to Jesus?
Will your sacrifices have sown eternal seeds?

Friend, your influence matters. Every word, every action, every reaction has a chance to draw them closer to Jesus.

So soften your heart. Adjust your mindset. And do marriage well—not for earthly gain, but for eternal glory.

We are rooting for you!

 

Blessings,

The Delight Your Marriage Team

 

PS - Want help living this out? We would love to walk alongside you. Start with a free Clarity Call and talk with someone who’s been there, seen God work, and is ready to cheer you on.

PPS - Have you seen the impact of this work in your life and wish more people knew about it? We are launching our In-Person Training program globally in January 2026. For more information on bringing this program to your church (or small group or work or wherever you meet!), please email office@delightyourmarriage.com.

PPPS - Here is a quote from a recent graduate:
"The biggest area I have grown is in my relationship with the Lord.  I have a deeper walk and appreciate struggles as they point me to Jesus.  Our marriage has grown as well.  We are deeper in love and we are heading to our finish lines of life, united as a couple."