WORTHY Bible Studies

2 Reasons Why I Need ‘Filter’ to be My Word for 2017

I have to admit something—I didn’t choose a word to focus on for 2016. I know you’re probably like, What??!! Are you kidding me? . . . What self-respecting Christian blogger doesn’t choose a word to focus on, be challenged by, and apply time-after-time all throughout the year? Well, apparently this one. 😦 #bloggerfail If…

BethSteffaniak

January 7, 2017

About Me, Accountability, Attitude, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Encouragement, Focus, Grace, Love, Love of God, Marriage, Negative Self-Talk, Positive Focus, Self-awareness, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

Filter, Focus, Guard Mind, Perspective, Positive Focus, Word for 2017, Word for the year
One Key Way Prayer Journaling Uncovers Denial And Linkup

I never dreamed many years ago that prayer journaling could or would open up a whole new world of insight for me. A world like I’d never experienced before in my prayer life. I must preface that by saying God opened up new insights as I combined my prayer journaling with my Bible studies and…

BethSteffaniak

December 20, 2016

Attitude, Bible Study Tools, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Denial, Encouragement, Faith in God, False Beliefs, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Marriage, Perspective, Prayer, Responsibility, Self-awareness, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

Denial, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer Journal, Prayer journaling, Reflection, Responsibility
5 Differences between Journaling and Prayer Journaling Plus Linkup

Last week I began a mini-series on prayer journaling that naturally sparked some conversation about journaling in the comments. Even though journaling and prayer journaling are synonyms, I wanted to write a post about the differences I see between these two helpful practices. So I hope you’ll indulge me for a bit of a “rabbit…

BethSteffaniak

December 13, 2016

About Me, Anger, Attitude, Christ-Centered, Comfort, Control, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith in God, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Love of God, Marriage, Openness, Peace, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Self-awareness, Self-deception, Self-Reflection, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Truth

Comfort, Confession, Emotions, Faith in God, Journaling, Peace, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer Journal
How Prayer Journaling Improved My Marriage And Linkup

One of the main blessings I’ve experienced with the many prayers I’ve written out over the years is how it always brings such comfort when I’ve felt hurt in my marriage. Back in my very messy marriage years, I expected my hubby to be the main person who would comfort me—even and especially when he…

BethSteffaniak

December 6, 2016

About Me, Anger, Authenticity, Choices, Christ-Centered, Comfort, Confession, Emotions, Encouragement, Faith in God, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Grief, Love of God, Marriage, Openness, Positive Focus, Prayer, Security, Self-awareness, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Practices, Surrender

Comfort, Emotions, Love of God, Peace, Perspective, Prayer, Prayer journaling
Getting Your Spouse to Open Up – Part Two (Video)

Today I’m talking about the second half of the process that will encourage your spouse to open up and engage with you in conversation. I feel like this should be a process that is built brick by brick—keeping each brick in place as the foundation of trust in your marriage is built, perhaps for the…

BethSteffaniak

December 4, 2016

Acceptance, Accountability, Affirmation, Alienation, Amends, Apologies, Attitude, Avoidance, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Confession, Conflict, Confrontation, Conversation, Discouragement, Emotions, Encouragement, Engagement, Listening Skills, Marriage, Openness, Perspective, Positive Focus, Prayer, Questioning Marriage Videos, Realistic Expectations, Self-Reflection, Validation, Video, Vulnerability

Accountability, Affirmation, Communication, Conversation, Listening, Listening Skills, Openness, Prayer, Vulnerability
Victim Love Style in Marriage And FMTM Linkup

Here at Messy Marriage, I’ve talked about a “Victim Mentality” a lot over the years, but this isn’t necessarily what I’m talking about today. A victim mentality can develop in any person’s life regardless of their love style. A victim mentality is a fixation on a real or supposed victimizer in one’s life, feeling helpless…

BethSteffaniak

November 29, 2016

Abuse, Accountability, Addictions, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Codependency, Conflict, Emotions, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Openness, Pain, Parenthood, Prayer, Self-deception, Self-Protection, Toxic Baggage, Victim, Victim Mentality, Vulnerability, Withdrawal, Wounds

Abuse, Addictions, Anxiety, Avoidance, Compliant, Detached, Fears, Prayer, Prayer journaling, Secrets, Victim, Vulnerability
The Controller Love Style And FMTM Linkup

With Thanksgiving in the U.S. a day away, it seems appropriate to discuss the many shades of a Controller “love style!” We wouldn’t be able to get through a true Thanksgiving meal or celebration without the “Control Freak” in somebody rising to the surface like a tasty batch of homemade rolls . . . minus…

BethSteffaniak

November 22, 2016

Abuse, Alienation, Anger, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Conflict, Control, Counseling, Emotions, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Pain, Parenthood, Prayer, Safety, Self-Protection, Stress, Support, Toxic Baggage, Trauma, Wounds

Abuse, Anger, Conflict, Control, Counseling, Support, Wounds
Getting Your Spouse to Open Up! Video

Getting a reluctant mate to open up to you is about as easy as coaxing a cranky toddler to eat his peas. At least, that’s what I’ve discovered in my own life. And it’s also what I’ve heard from countless others, especially wives, in conversationless marriages. Today I’m answering another reader’s question in my “Questioning…

BethSteffaniak

November 20, 2016

Acceptance, Accountability, Affirmation, Alienation, Attitude, Avoidance, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Communication, Conversation, Discouragement, Emotions, Encouragement, Openness, Prayer, Questioning Marriage Videos, Realistic Expectations, Safety, Self-Reflection, Video

Communication, Conversation, Fear, Openness, Prayer, Safety, Video
Vacillator ‘Love Style’ in Marriage Plus FMTM Linkup

Should I post on the Vacillator today, or not? Um, sure . . . I think I will! No, wait a minute . . . definitely not! Well . . . maybe I should! Just a little sarcasm to get this “love style” train chugging down or perhaps backing up along the proverbial track! My…

BethSteffaniak

November 15, 2016

Acceptance, Alienation, Anger, Balance, Change, Choices, Conflict, Control, Emotions, Expectations, Fear, From Messes to Messages Linkup, Perfectionism, Realistic Expectations, Self-Protection, Self-Reflection, Toxic Baggage, Wounds

Anger, Conflict, Control, Emotions, Fear of Abandonment, Rejection, Vacillate
3 Ways I’m Dealing with an Empty-Nest

I’m walking over an incredibly monumental transition or “threshold” in my life—that of being a full-fledged Empty Nester. Since that’s the case, I’ve felt like it might be good to do a series on the many “thresholds” we all go through in marriage and life. I will be alternating these posts with my videos that…

BethSteffaniak

September 24, 2016

About Me, Acceptance, Change, Choices, Christ-Centered, Emotions, Empty-nest, Encouragement, Expectations, Faith in God, Grief, Motherhood, Pain, Parenthood, Positive Focus, Prayer, Self-Reflection, Surrender, Vulnerability

Confusion, Empty-nest, Grief, Loss, Mom Issues, Motherhood, Pain, Parenthood, Prayer