Surprisingly, it’s not healthy communication. It’s not conflict resolution skills. It’s actually the size of the marriage’s joy gap .
Joy Gap/joi gap/ (n.)-1. The length of time between moments of shared joy
When the joy gap gets bigger, problems are more likely to overwhelm you, resentment creeps in, and you start to feel distant and alone in your marriage. When the joy gap is smaller, you regularly feel connected and happy, problems feel manageable, and your marriage becomes a reliable source of joy. But how do you ensure that you’re experiencing joy regularly?
Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey have studied relationships (and neuroscience) and discovered four habits that keep joy regular and problems small. Some couples do them naturally, but anyone can learn. That’s why each chapter includes 15-minute exercises that boost joy and re-train your brain to make joy your default setting. You’ll learn new skills including how to:
Find out what your marriage looks like after a little work and a whole lot of joy.
Marcus Warner is the president of Deeper Walk International. He is a former pastor and college professor who has written several books including Understanding the Wounded Heart, What Every Believer Should Know about Spiritual Warfare, and Rare Leadership. Marcus trains hundreds of leaders and equips thousands of Christians each year across the globe.
Deeper Walk International is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping people identify and overcome obstacles that keep them from winning life’s battles so they walk in freedom and joy. Deeper Walk comes alongside churches to help them produce spiritually-minded, relationally-connected, emotionally mature followers of Jesus.
Chris Coursey is an ordained minister, pastoral counselor, published author, and international speaker. He and his wife, Jen, lead and design the THRIVE Training Program that uses brain-based exercises to train leaders, families, and communities in the 19 relational skills and the Immanuel Lifestyle.
Chris is the author of Transforming Fellowship, and the co-author of 30 Days of Joy for Busy Couples, Joy Starts Here, and Relational Skills in the Bible.
Chris and Jen are passionate about helping people acquire the skills to make relationships work. They have two boys, Matthew and Andrew.
Joy-Filled Marriages is brought to you by a ministry partnership between Deeper Walk International and THRIVEtoday.
Deeper Walk International helps people win life’s battles and walk deeply with God.
THRIVEtoday equips people with skills to make relationships work.
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