When your marriage is in a painful season, joy might feel like the last thing on your mind. But what if those small, lighthearted moments are not only possible—but essential for healing? In this episode, we're talking about why joy still matters in marriage, even when things hurt.

You'll discover how laughter, rest, and simply enjoying each other can soften hearts, reduce tension, and remind your relationship that hope is not lost.

What You'll Learn in This Episode

• The reality of pain in marriage and how the brain processes emotional hurt as real and exhausting.
• Why joy is medicine—how laughter, fun, and rest release chemicals that calm stress and build safety.
• Biblical wisdom on joy, including Proverbs 17:22 ("A cheerful heart is good medicine") and Nehemiah 8:10 ("The joy of the Lord is your strength").
• Practical ways to bring joy back—from watching a funny movie to taking a break from "working" on everything and just being together.
• How choosing joy and rest builds resilience and reminds you that healing is still possible.

Scripture Encouragement

• Proverbs 17:22 – "A cheerful heart is good medicine."
• Nehemiah 8:10 – "The joy of the Lord is your strength."
• Psalm 16:11 – "In Your presence there is fullness of joy."

Call to Action

This week, don't focus only on what needs to be fixed—make space to simply enjoy each other. Recreate a joyful memory or try something lighthearted and new.

👉 If this episode encouraged you, share it with another couple who might need hope in their hard season. And if you haven't already, be sure to leave us a review—it helps more couples find the encouragement they need.

🔗 Visit ExpeditionMarriage.org for more resources, tools, and support to help your marriage thrive.

Have you ever caught yourself assuming you knew what your spouse was thinking or feeling—only to find out you were completely wrong? That’s what we call “The Usual Error”—and it’s one of the most common causes of conflict, hurt, and disconnection in marriage.

In this episode, we’ll unpack what the Bible says about making assumptions, why they’re biblically unwise, and how to replace them with curiosity, humility, and God’s wisdom to strengthen your marriage.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. What the Usual Error Is and Why It Hurts Marriage

• How assumptions create false narratives and unspoken expectations
• Why acting on unproven beliefs leads to miscommunication

2. Why Making Assumptions Can Be Spiritually Dangerous

• It’s based on what’s unproven → Leads to wrong conclusions
• It shows a lack of wisdom → Proverbs 18:2: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”
• It causes division → Misunderstandings breed resentment and distance
• It reflects pride → Assuming we know our spouse’s motives takes God’s place as the only One who sees hearts

3. What the Bible Encourages Instead

• Practice humility and patience (Ephesians 4:2-3): Bear with one another in love
• Seek truth and discernment (Philippians 4:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:21): Think on what is true and test everything

4. How to Break the Usual Error in Marriage

Practical tools to shift from assumption to understanding:

• Pause before reacting: “Do I have proof, or am I assuming?”
• Ask clarifying questions instead of assigning motives
• Practice reflective listening to ensure you’ve heard your spouse correctly
• Invite God into the conversation through prayer and patience

5. Encouragement and Hope

Marriage is strengthened when you replace assumptions with curiosity and humility. Unity grows when you trust God more than your perceptions, opening the door for deeper connection, grace, and peace.

Marriages

Marriage is challenging enough, but when your spouse doesn’t share your faith, it can feel like you’re walking this journey alone. In this episode, we’re diving deep into what it means to be in a spiritually mismatched marriage and how to find hope, peace, and purpose along the way.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

1. The Reality of Spiritually Unequal Marriages

• What it means to be “spiritually mismatched”
• Common emotions: loneliness, frustration, confusion, and hope

2. Common Struggles These Couples Face

• Spiritual Loneliness: Feeling unsupported in your walk with Christ
• Parenting Challenges: Different values and beliefs causing tension
• Church Involvement: One spouse engaged, the other resistant
• Communication Gaps: Conflicts over priorities and purpose
• Stat: 67% of couples say faith differences increase relationship stress (Lifeway Research)

3. How to Love Well Without Compromising Your Faith

• Influence Through Love, Not Pressure
• Stay Rooted in Christ
• Find Support
• Create Connection Outside Faith

4. Encouragement and Hope

• God sees your marriage, your prayers, and your heart
• Romans 12:12 — “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
• Isaiah 40:31 — God renews your strength while you wait

Resources & Next Steps

• ✉️ Prayer Support: Email us at email@expeditionmarriage.org if you’d like us to pray alongside you—we keep a dedicated list and would love to lift your marriage before God.
• 🙏 Join Our 30-Day Praying for Your Husband Challenge to deepen your intercessory prayer life. (https://expeditionmarriage.org/30-day-praying-for-your-wife-challenge)

• • 📩 Share This Episode: Know someone walking this path? Send them this episode and begin praying together for your husbands.

https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-157-when-your-husband-doesnt-share-your-faith-hope-for-spiritually-unequal-marriages