God's Successful Marriage

There are some subjects that are difficult to talk about honestly in Christian circles. Mental health has often been one of them. Not because Christians do not care, not because the church is trying to hurt people, but historically, many believers simply did not fully understand depression, anxiety, PTSD, panic disorders, trauma, or emotional exhaustion. In many cases, people repeated what they had heard from others before them. The intent was often to help, not harm. Still, some struggling Christians quietly carried the weight of statements like: “You just need to pray more.” “You need to trust God more.” “You need to serve more.” “You must have hidden sin.” “If you truly had joy in the Lord, you would not feel this way.” And for someone already drowning internally, those words could deepen the wound instead of heal it. Mental health struggles are real and Christians are not immune to them. A Personal Reality This conversation is personal to me because I understand what it...

Responding with Patience, Compassion, and Truth Key Verse: “ Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ” — Galatians 6:1 There are seasons in marriage that feel spiritually united - You pray together. You worship together. You feel like you are moving in the same direction. And then there are seasons when one spouse begins to struggle. Sometimes it is obvious, sometimes it is quiet. A hardened attitude, growing distance from church and a loss of desire for prayer. Bitterness, anger, doubt, exhaustion, compromise and silence. One spouse keeps reaching toward God while the other slowly pulls away. Those seasons can place tremendous strain on a marriage because spiritual struggles rarely stay isolated. They affect communication, intimacy, leadership, trust, peace within the home, and even the emotional safety of the relationship itself. Many couples do not ...

  “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” — Proverbs 31:28 Motherhood changes through the years, but its impact never stops echoing. In a world that often reduces Mother’s Day to flowers, cards, and social media posts, it is easy to overlook the deeper reality of what motherhood truly is. It is not simply a title. It is years of pouring, carrying, teaching, comforting, correcting, sacrificing, praying, and loving in ways that often go unseen. It is holy work. Not because mothers are perfect, but because God has entrusted them with hearts, homes, and lives that help shape generations. Some mothers are just beginning the journey, carrying children they have not yet met. Others are learning how to survive sleepless nights and endless laundry. Some are walking the difficult years of raising teenagers. Others are standing in quieter homes now, watching grown children build lives of their own. And for many, Mother’s Day carries both gratitude an...

  “ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…” — Revelation 12:1 There is something we do — often without realizing it. We hear one testimony, and it grips the room: "I was delivered from a lifetime of drugs, alcohol, abuse, and a life that was clearly broken."  We respond with energy: “Look what the Lord has done.” “God is powerful.” “Only God could bring someone out of that.” And we should respond that way because that is the mighty power of God on display. But then we hear another testimony: “I grew up in church… I gave my life to Christ when I was young… and I’ve walked with Him since.” And our response is often....quieter: “Praise the Lord.” ......and we move on. We may not say it out loud, but over time, we begin to treat one testimony like a miracle… and the other like an expectation. And that is where we have to be careful because somewhere along the way, we unintentionally send a message: That one salvation story is POWERFUL...

  There is a quiet truth many couples carry but rarely say out loud: Praying together feels harder than it should. We can talk about schedules, bills, children, and even deep struggles—but when it comes time to pray together, something tightens. Words feel awkward. Timing feels off. One leads, the other listens. Sometimes both wait for the other to start… and neither does. So the moment passes. Not because we don’t love God. Not because we don’t love each other. But because spiritual intimacy doesn’t always come naturally—it must be learned. Why It Feels So Hard For many of us, prayer has always been personal. It is where we are most vulnerable with God—honest, unfiltered, sometimes even unsure. Inviting your spouse into that space can feel like opening a door you’ve kept closed for years. There can also be unspoken fears: “What if I don’t say the right words?” “What if this feels forced?” “What if my spouse is more spiritual than I am?” So instead of ...

  Common Man Publications Strengthening Your Marriage One Day at a Time A 7-Day Devotional from God’s Successful Marriage Marriage is strengthened in the daily choices we make to love, forgive, honor, and remain faithful to the covenant God has given us. This devotional was written to encourage couples to return to those steady, God-honoring choices one day at a time. Whether you work through it together as husband and wife, reflect on it personally, or pass it along to another couple in need of encouragement, our prayer is that it will be both a blessing and a practical help. You can read the devotional directly below, or download the PDF to save for later. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:...