Merry Christmas from the girls! 

Today, Ashley and Audrey are sipping hot apple cider, reminiscing over the previous year, and talking about Mark Gungor’s Be-Attitudes of Marriage: 9 Simple Steps to a Happier Healthier Marriage and offering additional insight into attitudes that support healthy relationships.

9 Steps to a Happier Healthier Marriage

1. Be Nice
2. Be Content
3. Be Connected
4. Be Prepared
5. Be Proactive
6. Be Clear
7. Be Do-ers
8. Be Patient
9. Be Dead

Be Nice: We often prioritize our feelings over being nice to our spouses. But feelings are short-lived and often selfish. Remember, feelings are indicators and not dictators, and we should not always act on our feeling or share them. It's healthier for you and your marriage to evaluate your feelings before sharing and focus on what your partner is actually doing well.

Be Content: In our “me-centered” world, we expect our partner to carry the emotional weight of making us happy. Your spouse cannot make you happy; only you can do that. In times of weakness, lean on God and decide to be content within yourself.

Be Connected: A healthy group of friends who share your values and will hold you accountable can strengthen your relationship and positively influence your marriage. Avoid friends who are drawn to drama, only speak negatively about their own spouses, or bring negativity into the relationship. 

Be Prepared: Life is tough! There will be curveballs, but you need to understand that trials and tribulations are part of married life. Foster a relationship with God as a way of building up your foundation, so you are better able to weather the storm.

Be Proactive: You can’t reap what you don’t sow. You can listen to podcasts and books, but ultimately you need to put it into practice. Don’t wait for something bad to happen to get flowers or do something for your partner. Take the first step, and be intentional and proactive.

Be Clear: Assuming that your partner knows something can lead to miscommunications and misunderstandings. When these happen, remember to assume the best intentions and do not magnify small challenges.

Be a Do-er: Turn your words into actions. We can plant a seed in a relationship, but we have to remember to nurture and tend to it so that it can strengthen and grow.

Be Patient: When you plant and nurture the seeds of a relationship, you don’t see growth overnight. Accept that your marriage is a journey together. This is not a sprint; this is a marathon—a Spartan Race!

Be Dead: We all have a selfish side. In a healthy relationship, this side of you had to die. Ask yourself, in what ways am I being stingy? How am I being selfish? Push yourself to be more flexible.

Later, the girls respond to an Instagram question from a listener who is struggling to understand her vaginismus diagnosis. She says her diagnosis doesn't exactly line up with every symptom. 

In This Episode

• Be Nice [6:15]
• Be Content [11:40]
• Be Connected [16:40]
• Be Prepared [20:00]
• Be Proactive [24:30
• Be Clear [26:30]
• Be Do-ers [29:30]
• Be Patient [30:18]
• Be Dead  [36:18]
• Instagram question [38:50]

Resources

Be-Attitudes of Marriage: 9 Simple Steps to a Healthier and Happier Marriage

Coming Soon | Hope&Her Support Group | Waitlist Sign-Up

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