Category: Encouragement

• How Time with God Can Improve Your Life and Marriage

  

  Back when I was a young, stay-at-home mom of three sons, my personal Bible study and prayer time looked somewhat different than it does today. I remember realizing that the best window of time to be alone with God was while my sons were either napping and/or at school. Still, I had to know when…

  BethSteffaniak

  August 26, 2019

  Acceptance, Alienation, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Differences, Discouragement, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith in God, Love for God, Marriage, Negative Self-Talk, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Priorities, Realistic Expectations, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices

  Bible Study, Communication, Conversation, Faith in God, Gender Differences, God’s Redemption, Perspective, Realistic Expectations, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices

• The Difference Between Tolerating and Overlooking an Offense

  

  In a day and age that cries out for tolerance, the idea of “tolerating our spouses” can easily seep into our mindset in marriage as well. At least, it did for my marriage! This notion sounds so noble and even Christlike on the surface. In fact, there’s one verse in particular that seems to support…

  BethSteffaniak

  August 18, 2019

  Acceptance, Accountability, Anger, Blaming, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Discouragement, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Grace, Jesus’ Sacrifice, Love of God, Marriage, Prayer, Realistic Expectations, Resentments, Self-Protection, Self-sacrifice, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices

  Boundaries in Marriage, Forgiveness, Marriage Video, Overlooking Insults, Sloppy Joe Time Video

• Relationship Communication: 6 Keys for a Successful Marriage

  

  Today, I’m glad to introduce you to Rachael Pace, who is sharing some important benefits that effective communication in marriage can bring to our lives and marriages. You can find more about her at her bio below! Please, make her feel welcome by commenting below and sharing to all of your favorite social media spots! …

  BethSteffaniak

  June 25, 2019

  Alienation, Anger, Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Bonding, Boundaries, Communication, Conflict, Connection, Conversation, Desires, Differences, Discouragement, Empathy, Encouragement, Marriage, Marriage Spark, Openness, Passion, Positive Focus, Resentments

  Anger, Communication, Communication in Marriage, Conflict Resolution, Empathy, Openness, Problem-Solve, Sex Life

• 4 Ways to Get a Clean Slate in Life and Marriage

  

  I don’t know about you, but I’m a workaholic. And that applies to my marriage as well—always finding some way to clean up or spruce up what needs attention. That can be good. But today I want to talk about how doing too much in our own strength can derail us. After all, spring-cleaning our…

  BethSteffaniak

  June 9, 2019

  Bible Study, Bible Study Tools, Christ-Centered, Connection, Discouragement, Encouragement, Faith in God, Forgiveness, God’s Redemption, Grace, Jesus’ Sacrifice, Love of God, Marriage, Positive Focus, Prayer, Redemption, Salvation, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Workaholic

  Christ-centered, Clean Slate, Faith in God, Gospel, Gospel-centered Marriage, Marriage Prayer, Prayer, Salvation

• How to Forgive the Past and Move Forward in Your Marriage

  

  Today, I’m excited to introduce to you my next guest blogger in the “Spring Clean Your Marriage” series—Julie Loos. She’s sharing about how subtle and destructive ruminating on our mates’ failures and limitations can be to our marriages. Be sure to check out her bio below, as well as making her feel welcome by commenting…

  BethSteffaniak

  June 2, 2019

  Acceptance, Alienation, Amends, Anger, Attitude, Bad Habits, Blaming, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Communication, Counseling, Discouragement, Emotions, Encouragement, Expectations, Forgiveness, Humility, Marriage, Nagging, Negative Self-Talk, Pain, Positive Focus, Pride, Resentments, Self-awareness, Spiritual Growth, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Victim Mentality, Wounds

  Anger, Bitterness, Conflict, Counseling, Faith in God, Forgive, Forgiveness, Humble, Pouting, Pride, Prideful, Ruminating

• 5 Ways to C.L.E.A.N. Up Manipulating Your Spouse with Guilt

  

  Today, I’m excited to continue in the “Spring Clean Your Marriage” series with my next guest blogger, Karen Friday. I feel a special kinship with her because she’s a pastor’s wife like me! I hope you’ll check out her bio below and make her feel welcome by commenting and sharing her wise words all around…

  BethSteffaniak

  May 19, 2019

  Acceptance, Anger, Avoidance, Bad Habits, Blaming, Boundaries, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Criticism, Discouragement, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith in God, False Beliefs, Forgiveness, Grace, Guilt, Insecurity, Marriage, Nagging, Negative Self-Talk, Realistic Expectations, Resentments, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Practices, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Toxic Baggage, Withdrawal

  Acceptance, Boundaries, Communication, Conflict Resolution, Disrespect, Faith in God, Guilt, Guilt Messages, Insecurity, Jealousy, Manipulation, Marriage Boundaries, Respect, Trust, Trust Spouse

• 7 Tips for Cleaning Up a Boring Sex Life in Marriage

  

  Today I’m thrilled to have author and marriage blogger Sheila Gregoire as my guest in the “Spring Clean Your Marriage” series. See her bio below to find out more about her, as well as where to connect with her on social media.  We’ve all been there. Whether you are in a hectic season of life,…

  BethSteffaniak

  May 5, 2019

  Acceptance, Affection, Alienation, Anger, Attraction, Bonding, Change, Choices, Communication, Connection, Discouragement, Encouragement, Expectations, False Beliefs, Friendship, Intimacy, Marriage, Marriage Spark, Negative Self-Talk, Passion, Positive Focus, Priorities, Realistic Expectations, Self-awareness, Self-Reflection, Sex & Sexuality, Sex-Drive, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Truth

  Boring Sex, Expectations, Friendship in Marriage, Sex, Sex in Marriage, Sex-Drive, Sexual Attraction, Sexual Connection, Sexual Intimacy, Truth

• 7 Ways to Clean Up Being Disrespectful to Your Spouse

  

  Recently, I was disrespectful to my husband while we were at our small group Bible study, of all places! It was just that the direction my husband was taking during our discussion just got under my skin. So I sat there stewing—thinking of what I would say to him later in a private moment. Apparently,…

  BethSteffaniak

  April 28, 2019

  About Me, Acceptance, Alienation, Amends, Anger, Attitude, Blaming, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Communication, Confession, Conflict, Criticism, Discouragement, Encouragement, Forgiveness, Humility, Listening Skills, Love of God, Marriage, Positive Focus, Prayer, Resentments, Respect, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Surrender, Vulnerability

  Communication, Conflict, Cover with Love, Criticism, Disrespect, Forgiveness, God’s Love, Listening Skills, Respect, Surender to God

• 5 Tips for When You Undermine Your Spouse’s Parenting

  

  I’m excited to continue my “Spring Clean Your Marriage” Series with my next guest blogger, Aimee Imbeau. See her bio below to find the link to her site and, then be sure to connect with her on social media as well. I had a choice to make…and only moments in which to make the best…

  BethSteffaniak

  April 21, 2019

  Acceptance, Alienation, Anger, Blaming, Bonding, Boundaries, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conflict, Confrontation, Criticism, Differences, Encouragement, Faith in God, Forgiveness, Marriage, Motherhood, Oneness, Parenthood, Prayer, Respect, Spring Clean Your Marriage, Unity

  Conflict, Messy Motherhood, Parenting, Respect, Support, Support Spouse, Team Mentality, Undermine Parenting, United Front, Unity

• Spring Cleaning Tips Leaving More Time for Your Family

  

  I’m excited to start off a new series, “Spring Clean Your Marriage” with a guest blogger Sarah Rollandini today! Check out her bio below to find out more about her and her blog. Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help…

  BethSteffaniak

  April 7, 2019

  Attitude, Balance, Boundaries, Change, Connection, Enabling, Encouragement, Fun, Marriage, Motherhood, Parenthood, Patience, Perfectionism, Positive Focus, Priorities, Realistic Expectations, Spring Clean Your Marriage

  Boundaries, Chores, Cleaning Tips, Family Togetherness, Perfectionism, Realistic Expectations, Spring Clean Your Marriage