What’s one word you hope will describe how you see yourself as you grow? Share it below.

I try to drop a course every few weeks on Life Reframe. Typically they correspond with whatever the topic or theme is that I've been speaking about on social media and in my blog. Please let me know what specific topics you would like me to create courses for on here. Depending on the amount of time it takes me to create it, there may be a cost for you to take the course once it's uploaded. But this never exceeds $20. I look forward to hearing from you all. Thanks. --Dr. Dave

Marriage will have difficult seasons. Two people can love God, love each other, and still face circumstances that stretch them beyond anything they expected. But there is a difference we need to talk about more honestly: suffering with your spouse is different from suffering because of your spouse. That distinction matters, especially for the wife who keeps wondering whether being faithful means continuing to absorb whatever her husband chooses to do. When You Face Hardship Together Suffering with your spouse may mean walking through illness, grieving someone you love, losing a job, or caring for an aging parent. Neither of you would have chosen the circumstances, but you are trying to carry them together. You may get tired. You may misunderstand each other. You may need to apologize and begin again. Yet there is a willingness to listen, share responsibility, and care about what the other person is experiencing. The hardship is real, but so is the companionship. Sometimes that sounds like, “I don’t know how we’re going to get through this, but I want to understand what you need from me.” That is part of loving each other through a difficult season. When Someone's Choices Become the Source of Your Pain Something different is happening when your suffering repeatedly comes from your spouse’s dishonesty, humiliation, intimidation, betrayal, or attempts to control you. You bring up something that hurt you, and the conversation becomes a trial about your attitude. You ask for emotional connection and are told you expect too much. You express a different opinion and spend the evening managing his reaction. Eventually, you learn to keep things to yourself because honesty has become too costly. That deserves more attention than, “Every marriage has problems.” Every marriage does have problems. But a pattern in which one person causes harm and the other person is expected to absorb it requires truth, accountability, and change. Keeping Things Quiet Is Not the Same as Creating Peace

A thought can feel true simply because you’ve heard it for years. “I’m too much.” “My needs don’t matter.” “I always disappoint people.” Before you keep agreeing with that thought, consider whether it reflects who God says you are. What truth about your worth do you want to practice believing today? Share that with us if you feel safe doing so.

It’s not behavior change. It’s heart change! Walking in freedom of no perfection required and peace in Him. Have a blessed day everyone.