"All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ."
~ Ephesians 4:31-32

On the wedding day, most couples can't imagine ever treating their spouse with contempt. But in this broken world, we know that so many marriages suffer with belittling speech and actions. How does a marriage devolve into habits of contempt, and what are the antidotes to get the relationship back on track?

Drawing from their own experiences and insights from relationship expert John Gottman, Kenna and Pat discuss the third - and most dangerous - of Dr. John Gottman's "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" for marriages: Contempt. They discuss the power of positive interactions, not only through words but also through body language and gestures of love and warmth. Reflecting on personal stories and Scripture, they shed light on the damaging effects of contempt and its connection to feelings of superiority and inadequacy. Tune in to discover practical tips and ideas for cultivating healthy, kind, and contempt-free relationships in this relatable and encouraging episode.

Episode 30 Show Notes

Chapters:
00:00: Introduction and Highs & Hards
15:05: Understanding Contempt in relationships
22:41: How does contempt show up in marriages?
34:46: Contempt can be nonverbal
38:08: Antidote #1 to cure contempt
45:58: Antidote #2 to cure contempt
54:03: Challenge By Choice

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Interested in more faith-filled mental health resources? Check out the Martin Center for Integration

Music: "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller. Used with permission.