Category: Conflict

• How to Make a Change for the Better that Lasts

  Months ago, I introduced you to my Heart Healing Prayer method that allows you to prayer journal and process through a struggle in your life.  It’s one of the most effective and transformative ways I know, as a biblical counselor and prayer warrior, to respond to a problem in life or marriage.  Happen to have […]

  BethSteffaniak

  December 12, 2021

  About Me, Acceptance, Accountability, Anger, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Confession, Conflict, Control, Deception, Denial, Discouragement, Encouragement, Faith in God, Fear, Humility, Marriage, Pain, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Pride, Responsibility, Self-awareness, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Support, Surrender, Surrender Series, Trials, Trust, Truth, Worry

  Change, Confession, Journaling, Prayer, Processing, Repentance, Responsibility, Scripture, Surrender

• How to Validate Your Spouse in the Conflicts of Marriage

  

  Have you ever desperately wanted your spouse to validate your feelings but have been left feeling unheard, judged, or simply misunderstood instead? That’s because . . . [bctt tweet=”One primary way to open ourselves up with our spouses is to validate or acknowledge their feelings. And one primary way to shut their hearts down is […]

  BethSteffaniak

  January 24, 2021

  Acceptance, Affirmation, Alienation, Blaming, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Differences, Discouragement, Emotions, Empathy, Encouragement, Engagement, Listening Skills, Marriage, Openness, Positive Focus, Realistic Expectations, Validation, Vulnerability, Wounds

  Bible, Communication, Connect, Connection, Conversation, Empathy, Listening, Listening Skills, Validate, Validation

• How to Get Unstuck in a Sticky Conflict in Marriage

  

  If you’re like me, you’ve let your mouth fly wide-open in times of conflict with your mate (or others), only to reveal the manipulative and prideful intentions behind your words.  For me, these sticky situations erupt when I had the best of intentions, really. Ironically, I think my words will bring clarity and understanding to […]

  BethSteffaniak

  January 17, 2021

  Alienation, Anger, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Conversation, Listening Skills, Marriage, Openness, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Resentments, Respect, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Practices, Vulnerability

  Communication, Conflict, Conflict Resolution, Conversation, Listening, Marriage, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer Processing, Relationships, Vulnerability

• How to Complain and Gain Peace and Perspective

  

  Are you one of those people who works hard to declutter your closets and cabinets when the New Year rolls around?  With the pandemic, many have been doing this all year long. Sadly, I cannot be counted among the many ranks of organizers out there, decluttering their houses.  Don’t get me wrong. It’s something my […]

  BethSteffaniak

  January 10, 2021

  About Me, Acceptance, Anger, Attitude, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Blaming, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Conflict, Criticism, Discouragement, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith in God, Forgiveness, Grief, Marriage, Peace, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Resentments, Self-awareness, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

  Anger, Angry, Complain, Complaint, Conflict, Forgive, Forgiveness, God’s perspective, Journaling, Perspective, Prayer, Processing, Psalms of David

• How to be Humble When Pride Rears Up

  

  I’ve pulled from my vault (2014) a post on humility that really captures a struggle I deal with to this day. I hope you find it to be as inspiring, funny, and convicting as I do now and did then. Lately, God has been dealing with my “pride.” Ugh! That’s such an ugly word and […]

  BethSteffaniak

  January 3, 2021

  Acceptance, Attitude, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Conflict, Forgiveness, Grace, Humility, Marriage, Pride, Self-Reflection, Truth, Wounds

  Conflict, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Grace, Healing, Humility, Inspiration, Marriage, Pride

• How to Avoid the Blame Game in Life and Marriage

  

  Do you remember the old “Staples” commercial that touted the “easy button”? Oh, if only it could be that easy when we blow it in life and marriage! Lose your temper with your spouse? Hit the easy button and all is forgiven! Lie to your husband about all the new outfits you recently bought? Hit […]

  BethSteffaniak

  September 13, 2020

  Acceptance, Alienation, Anger, Apologies, Blaming, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Codependency, Communication, Confession, Conflict, Denial, Faith in God, Fear, Guilt, Humility, Marriage, Marriage Battle Strategies, Negative Self-Talk, Positive Focus, Prayer, Responsibility, Self-deception, Self-Protection, Shame, Spiritual Practices, Spiritual Warfare, Vulnerability

  Apologize, Apology, Ashamed, Bible, Blame-shifting, Confess, Confession, Fear, Guilt, Shame

• 3 Ways to Handle a Failed Confession or Apology

  

  Sometimes you do everything you can to prepare your heart and mind for a moment of confession and/or apology with your spouse, and end up failing miserably! But how does this even happen? Typically, for me, this happens in the heat of the moment and for a variety of reasons. Consider this scenario: I’ve prayed […]

  BethSteffaniak

  August 13, 2020

  Anger, Apologies, Attitude, Christ-Centered, Communication, Confession, Confessional Culture, Conflict, Humility, Jesus’ Sacrifice, Perseverance, Prayer, Vulnerability, Wedded Wednesday

  Apologies, Apology, Confession, Failure, Humility, Perseverance, Prayer, Vulnerability

• Get Past the Awkwardness of Praying with Your Spouse

  

  My husband and I have found that praying together is one of the most important things we can do for our marriage. And I’m not talking about praying at the dinner table or side-by-side at church or other church-related gatherings. Those are all good things  . . . They just aren’t as powerful and bonding […]

  BethSteffaniak

  August 9, 2020

  About Me, Bonding, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Commitment, Conflict, Connection Toolkit, Encouragement, Faith in God, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Love for God, Oneness, Positive Focus, Prayer, Priorities, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices

  Bonding, Encouragement, Oneness, Prayer, Spiritual Focus, Spiritual Growth, Unity

• 6 Reasons Why I Choose to Submit to My Husband

  

  I’m not a mousy wife who can easily submit to my husband just because it’s what God commands. Sadly, I’ve struggled to let go of control in my marriage more times than I can count. It’s been one of the main reasons my marriage got so very messy back in the day. And still sometimes […]

  BethSteffaniak

  July 13, 2020

  About Me, Acceptance, Alienation, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Desires, Discouragement, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith in God, Fear, God’s Redemption, Humility, Jesus’ Sacrifice, Lessons Learned in Marriage, Love for God, Marriage, Oneness, Peace, Positive Focus, Prayer, Redemption, Respect, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Leadership, Spiritual Practices, Submission, Surrender

  #spiritualleadership, #submitinmarriage, Conflict Resolution, Headship, Honor Christ, Marriage, Strengthen Faith, Submission, Submit, Trust God

• 3 Red Flags that Point to a Martyr Mother-In-Law

  

  This is a revised republishing of a vintage and super popular post I did years ago. I’m bringing it out of the vault today revamped and hopefully a bit more robust in the ways it can help you if you’re facing this difficult situation. You’ve probably seen her type. Outwardly, she’s as sacrificial and sweet […]

  BethSteffaniak

  June 14, 2020

  Anger, Blaming, Boundaries, Codependency, Communication, Conflict, Criticism, In-Laws, Insecurity, Marriage, Marriage Monday, Motherhood, Negotiation, Parenthood, Prayer, Realistic Expectations, Unity, Victim Mentality

  Boundaries, Communication, Conflict, Dysfunction, Marriage, mother, Mother-in-Law, Motherhood, parent, Relationship