When we get married, we have dreams, hopes and goals for what our lifelong union with our new partner will look like. But that idealistic view doesn’t always match reality. Instead, we may find ourselves wondering why our man is so different compared to how he used to be at the beginning of the relationship or to the doting husbands we see on social media. Maybe we find ourselves in constant conflict with him, never finding common ground. Both of these issues can slowly and painfully drive your marriage into the ground.

Comparison and conflict are major, yet common, issues in marriage. Our very own co-host, Julie Bender, experienced them in her relationships. In this podcast episode—and in her book, soon to be releases as part of our “Smart Living in Small Bites” book series*—Julie walks through her difficult upbringing, her first marriage to Paul and the challenges they faced during their 11 years together, his unexpected passing and her experience dating and marrying her current husband, Donny.

Julie shares what to do when marriage is hard, revealing the comparison traps and the signs that indicate serious, underlying issues with communication and honesty and offers practical, fresh ways to resolve them. You and your spouse need to set your pride aside and be ready to work hard to protect and save your marriage. It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.

*Our “Smart Living in Small Bites” book series is our latest endeavor here at Grit and Grace Life.We’re creating and publishing a series of subject-specific guidebooks—written by our team of writers with direct experience in those subjects—that you can use to walk (and work) through your own challenges, at your own pace. Keep an eye out for this book and others in the series later this year.

“There’s no effort that you put into your marriage that isn’t going to bear fruit.” —Julie Bender

Mentioned 

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• Julie Graham’s Untold Story of Heartbreak, Healing and Hope – 101
  
• What Today’s Dating Scene Is Really Like – 094
  
• Watch Julie’s “Praying for Your Husband Daily” video series HERE
  
• Stay up-to-date on the release of our “Smart Living in Small Bites” book series. Click here, then scroll halfway down and sign up for our newsletter on the right-hand side of the page.
  

Related

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• Marriage Is Not a Hallmark Movie—But It Can Be Better
  
• This Is a Window Into My Widowhood
  

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