9 Lies That Will Destroy Your Marriage: And the Truths That Will Save It and Set It Free

In this helpful guide, psychologist Smalley (Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage) and marriage counselor Paul (The DNA of Relationships for Couples) offer Christian couples practical advice based on Focus on the Family’s Hope Restored Marriage Institute, where they have counseled over 7,000 married couples. For each of the nine lies that threatens marriage (among them, “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me” and “You Win Some, You Lose Some”), the authors identify scriptural lessons that contradict these well-intentioned but misleading axioms. For instance, the authors suggest “all you need is love” is only true if one understands that love is both a feeling and a decision, and can only be sustained through God, “the ultimate source of love.” They also discuss how personality differences that initially attract couples to one another (such as valuing planning versus spontaneity) can eventually divide them, and provide steps for creating win-win resolutions, including “heart talks,” option brainstorming, and adopting a “no losers” policy. Also provided are exercises for implementing heart-to-heart communication, building trust, and creating a safe place for intimacy. Christians seeking scriptural guidance on maintaining marital health should check this out. [em](July) [/em]