Straight Talk for Wives Podcast Episode 027: Practical Ways to Show Honor in Your Marriage

In this episode, I share three ways you can show honor in your marriage. If you are interested in learning more on this topic, go to my blog post I just published.

Or, if you prefer watching a video, click here to go to my marriage video on this same topic.

 

Straight Talk for Wives Podcast Episode 026: What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t

Show notes:

In this podcast episode, I share what genuine forgiveness is. It is so vital to get this because in marriage, we have to learn to forgive -a lot!

To learn more about forgiveness in marriage; check out my blog post on this same topic:

What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t – Blog Post

Or, if you would like to watch a video, I have a Marriage How-to video on this topic.

Go to Marriage How-to video on What Forgiveness Is and Isn’t

 

Understanding Your Husband’s History – Podcast Episode 025 – Part 2 of 2

Show Notes:

In this second episode, I share what your response should be now that you have learned about the pieces of yours and your husband’s past.

To get more on this topic, read my blog post I just published.

Or, if you prefer watching a video on this topic, click here to go to my marriage how-to videos.

 

STFW 024: Understanding Your Husband’s History Part 1 of 2

Show Notes:

In this podcast episode, I share how it’s important to understand yours and your husband’s history. Your parents, your peers, and past events are three major pieces of your past that have played a role in the person you and your husband have become today.

To learn more on this topic go to my blog post I just published. Or, if you prefer to watch a video on this topic of understanding your husband’s history, click here to go to the video.

In the next episode, I will share what you do now that you know where some of the conflict is coming from in your marriage.

STFW Podcat Episode 23:

Learn to Understand Your Husband’s Personality Weaknesses is Vital to Improving Your Marriage

Personality – Part 2 of 2

This episode is the live Blab feed from my live Blab broadcast. 

Go to my blog post to find out more about the four personalities. I have also published a video where I explain in more detail the weaknesses and how to improve your relationship now that you know his weaknesses.

If you’re new to all this and want to discover what your personality is, click here to get my free Design Discovery Worksheet.

STFW Episode 22: Understand Your Husband’s Personality Strengths To Build a Stronger Marriage

Personality – Part 1 of 2

This episode is the live Blab feed from my live Blab broadcast. 

Go to my blog post to find out more about the four personalities. I have also published a video where I explain in more detail the strengths of each personality.

If you’re new to all this and want to discover what your personality is, click here to get my free Design Discovery Worksheet.

Straight Talk For Wives Podcast Episode 021 Show Notes:

This podcast is an overview of this series that will last for a few weeks. I will be going into much greater detail on each of these 4 factors throughout the series so keep coming back. Also, to get an email whenever a new episode is posted, sign up for my weekly email. You can also subscribe to my podcast on i-tunes or at the bottom of this post.

In order to build a strong marriage, you must consider these 4 factors:

1. You must be considerate of your husband’s uniqueness by knowing his personality

Is he an introvert or an extrovert? If he always wants to leave early when you’re at a social gathering, that might be an indication he is an introvert. God has designed your husband with a unique personality. If you’re wise you will know it well. This will save you much heartache! Keep coming back as I will dive much deeper into this subject over the next few weeks!

2. You must be considerate of your husband’s history by understanding “his story”

Looking back at the pieces of your husband’s past will open your eyes to see more clearly the man he is today. Some questions to ask:

* How did his parents handle conflict, communication and money

* What was his relationship like with his peers? ie. his siblings, friends, co-workers, girlfriends

* What were the major past events that has shaped his life? ie. parents divorced, childhood abuse, or  major illness

3. You must be considerate of your husband’s humanness by forgiving his mistakes

Wives, this is a must. I just don’t know how else to to say it. If you hold onto stuff and don’t forgive, you will not be able to have a strong marriage. Un-forgiveness will keep you stuck. If this is a big struggle for you; I will share more on this in a future podcast. Remember this is just an overview so we will dig deeper in the next 4-5 podcasts.

4. You must be considerate of your husband’s value by honoring him

Honor is a major factor if you want a strong marriage. We show honor for two reasons. one, because our husband is a child of God and God has placed high value on all his children. Two, because God has told us that our husband’s are the head of our home. Showing honor is something you do on a daily basis. Its greeting him when he gets home from work. Its not texting while you’re out to dinner with him. Its refusing to speak negatively about him in front of your children.

In the next podcast we will look more closely at the first factor so sign up for my weekly emails to know exactly when it goes live.

If you’re interested in participating in a live broadcast each week; email me and I will get you the details. And, don’t forget to subscribe below!

Straight Talk For Wives Podcast Episode 020 Show Notes:

How to Fulfill Your Marriage Commitment by Living a Balanced Life

In this episode, I share the three keys to living a more balanced life. This is the third step in building a concrete marriage commitment. You cannot fulfill your commitment to your marriage unless you have a well balanced life.

The Balanced Life, The Balanced Wife.

This is one of my biggest weaknesses. Yep. I’m a “yes” girl. I want to do everything for everyone and that gets me into trouble with my husband.  So, if you struggle with over-commitment like me. This podcast will help – big time!!!

The first key to balancing your life: Define Your Priorities

I have decided to go by what the Bible teaches should be the order of our priorities.  In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us exactly what the order should be:

“Jesus replied, ‘You must love the Lord  your God with all your heart, all you soul, and all your mind.  This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: Love your neighbor as yourself. The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.’”   Matthew 22:37

Here’s the order: (I picked all words that started with an “M” so its easy to remember)

* Master (God)

* Marriage (Husband)

* Motherhood (Children)

* Ministry (friends or others you minister to)

Jesus gives us a clear order. We are to love God first then love our neighbor. So ask yourself, who is your closest neighbor? If you’re married, its the guy sleeping next to you at night. That is the closest neighbor. Then the next closest is your immediate family. And, it goes out from there. Make sense??

The 2nd Key: Diversify Your Schedule 

Diversify means “to make varied”. This means that in addition to what you have planned to do; you need to leave open time in your day, week, and month with nothing scheduled.

Here are some suggestions for what should be scheduled:

* Schedule time with God

* Schedule time with your husband

* Schedule time with your kids

* Schedule time for ministry or time with friends

You may have to actually put “time with hubby” on your calendar. Just like you do for your hair appointment or nail appointments.

STFW 019 Show Notes:

What To Do When You Feel Like Giving Up On Your Marriage

When you feel like giving up… do step two:

STEP 2: Reach out to God and RE-Commit to my husband

How do you do this?? You start by making these six choices:

Choice #1: Choose to Release my fears to God

“Pour out your feelings to the Lord, as you would pour water out of a jug.” Lamentations 2:19 (CEV)

Choice #2: Choose to Recall How God’s helped me in the past

“I remember the days gone by; I think about all that you have done, I bring to mind all your deeds…. Remind me each morning of your constant love, for I put my trust in you”     Psalm 143: 5,8a (TEV)

Choice #3: Choose to Remain Obedient when I don’t understand

“You are my God; teach me to do your will. Be good to me, and guide me on a safe path.                                                                                                 Psalm 143: 10 (TEV)

“Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.”                                                                                Psalm 119:35

Choice #4: Choose to Remove Divorce as an option,  and tell my husband

“I hate divorce,’ says the Lord., “So make sure that you do not break your promise to be faithful to your (mate)”    Malachi 2:16 (TEV)

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit.”                              2 Corinthians 4:8 (NLT)

Choice #5: Choose to Relinquish my right to be happy  for a season while God works on both of us

“So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”                                                1 Peter 4: 19 (NIV)

“So do not get tired of doing what is good.  Don’t get discouraged and give up,  for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time.”        Gal. 6:9 (NLT)

Choice #6: Choose to REFOCUS on being thankful for what’s working & FIX WHAT ISN’T

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

                             Philippians 4:8 (NLT)

 

Podcast Episode STFW 018:

 The secret to a concrete commitment in your marriage is to Build it on a Solid foundation – Christ    –   Part 2

In order to have a solid foundation in Christ first you must be fully committed to Christ.

Sometimes we have trouble with understanding what that really looks like. It simply means to put 100% of your trust in Christ.

Here’s an easy acrostic for the word TRUST that will give you some suggestions on how to deepen your trust in Christ.

 “Trust in the lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.  But in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight.”                       Proverbs 3: 5, 6 (NIV)

T = Time with him in prayer (We went over the details on this one in the last podcast)

R = Remember God’s purpose is bigger than my problems (This one too)