INSIDE: You don’t want to leave your marriage to chance. You want to design an intentional marriage, but how? Listen to Kevin Thompson.

My marriage isn’t perfect. Ryan and I aren’t perfect. We struggle and get frustrated with each other. AND ALSO, we work on the relationship that we have. We are bound and determined to remember that before we were mom and dad, we were Ryan and Jill, two fun, Jesus-loving people who thought the other person was too awesome to get away.

As much as we’ve messed up, we are also devoted to being intentional with each other and our relationship. Intentional about chatting about our days and stressors after the girls have gone to bed. Intentional about hanging out together doing something fun. Intentional about dreaming about the future when we are empty nesters.

I can think of no one better to speak about being intentional and designing your marriage on purpose than today’s guest, Kevin A. Thompson. 

In today’s episode, you’ll receive practical strategies and anchoring truths for receiving grace by learning how to design an intentional marriage. You’ll learn:

  • How to create the marriage you want,
  • Three questions to help you figure out how healthy your marriage is,
  • And how to move toward a healthy marriage.

Three questions to figure out how healthy your marriage is

  1. How much do we trust one another?
  2. How much do we respect each other?
  3. How much attention are we paying to each other?

Five ways to move toward a healthy, intentional marriage

  1. Counseling
  2. Mentoring
  3. Attending a marriage retreat
  4. Determining your issues
  5. Developing regular rhythms of connection

Three red flags in marriage

  1. Addiction
  2. Adultery
  3. Abuse

Four yellow flags in marriage

  1. Lack of meaningful conversation that leads to change
  2. Weight of debt
  3. Lack of trust
  4. Lack of carrying the weight of the relationship

Two benefits of community in marriage

  1. Holds you accountable
  2. Normalizes struggles

Quotes about how to design an intentional marriage

  • “Most couples outsource their life satisfaction to their family of origin, their personality, and the culture. Sometimes it works, and a lot of times it doesn’t.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “So much of satisfaction in marriage begins with that issue of, Are we paying attention to each other?” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “I think a lot of men are afraid if they go to counseling, they’ll be the bad guy.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “Remember why you fell in love. Remember what it is you are attracted to.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “Invite your partner into better.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “Your spouse was never meant to be your only friend, your only person.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “If the two of you are willing to do the work, there’s no limit to what God can do within you.” – Kevin A. Thompson
  • “A little bit of work and effort in your marriage can go a long way.” – Kevin A. Thompson

 

Mentioned in the podcast

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Here’s how to connect with Kevin A. Thompson

 

Here’s how to connect with Jill

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