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10 Behaviors That Can Lead to Domestic Violence

No one gets married to see it dissolve. Two people are drawn to each other and make the decision to start a life together that they want to last forever; and yet, about 50% of those who walk down an aisle end up either divorced, separated, or having one mate gone forever. And sometimes domestic violence rears its ugly head.Domestic violence doesn't just appear one day; there are certain signs that a relationship is unhealthy. Here are 10 behaviors that may lead to domestic violence.Photo credit: ©Getty/Serghei-Turcanu

How to Find Biblical Joy When You Have Been Treated Unfairly

Inevitably, all of us will eventually suffer unjust treatment. We will be treated unfairly, be misunderstood, and our motives will be misinterpreted and questioned. We are responsible for ourselves and the condition of our own hearts before God. We can only do so much to try and make things right; then, we need to leave it in the hands of our loving Father, who allows us to experience unjust treatment for his purposes and our sanctification.

6 Ways to Heal When a Friendship Ends

Sometimes friendships end because you've hurt each other. These wounds can go deep, yet God calls us to live above reproach. This means we give up our right to get in the last word, justify our bad behavior, or get revenge. We have to allow God to be the one who makes things right for us. Trust that he is still working in both of your lives and will find ways to teach you through this ordeal. It's tough not to want to defend ourselves when we feel wronged, but it's not our job.

How Your Thoughts Might Be Sabotaging Your Relationships

When she actually faced her thoughts, she realized how consistently mean, degrading, negative, and unhealthy they were. When I asked her to see if she could find a pattern – she realized she was stuck in a spiral of thoughts with a theme of inadequacy. She was never good enough. Not in her personal life, not in her marriage, not in her friendships, not as a mom, a homemaker, or a businesswoman. Her thoughts always pointed out where she wasn't measuring up, fixating on all that was lacking. Her thoughts were not only hurting her; they were hurting her relationships.

5 Ways to Set Unhealthy Boundaries

Whether it’s because we’ve highlighted enough sentences in boundary-related books or because we instinctively get it, it makes sense not to weaponize our boundaries against someone else.

5 Tips for Communicating with an Introvert

Communicating with introverts can be difficult at times. As an introvert myself, many things frighten me about the communication process and can lead me to choose not to communicate. For many of us introverts, communication can be scary and draining. While all people are different, including introverts, it is important to know how to communicate with us.If you are an extrovert or an ambivert, here are five tips for communicating with an introvert:Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Vichien Petchmai

3 Problems with Labeling Narcissism a Mental Health Disorder

Recently, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) has labeled narcissism as a mental health disorder. There are many problems associated with this new addition to the list of mental health disorders. While many health disorders are valid disorders, such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and eating disorders, narcissism shouldn't be labeled a mental health disorder. Mental health disorders are outside of our control, but narcissism is not.Here are three problems with labeling narcissism as a mental health disorder:Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/dragana991

Remember These 9 Things When Another Christian Disappoints You

Maybe it’s your pastor or mentor.Maybe it’s someone in your Bible study.Maybe it’s a famous Christian in the news.They’ve sinned. They’ve said they believe one thing and lived like they believed something else. Their life is messier than you could have imagined, and you feel disappointed, angry, confused, disillusioned, sad . . .How are we supposed to feel when other Christians miss God’s mark? How can we cope with the chaos other people’s sin creates? What should we say (if anything?)Here are nine things to keep in mind when another Christian disappoints you.Erin Davis is passionate about pointing young women toward God's Truth. She is the author of several books and a frequent speaker and blogger to women of all ages. Erin lives on a small farm in the midwest with her husband and kids. When she's not writing, you can find her herding goats, chickens, and children.Image courtesy: Pexels.com

How Does the Bible Caution Us about Toxic People?

God’s Word gives us examples of those who not only disregarded His Ways, but openly tried to turn others against Him. Some were willing to repent and become aligned again with the Lord, but others stubbornly kept to their ways and suffered the consequences.

3 Tips for Dealing with Difficult Personalities

With all difficult personalities, to tolerate is to show patience—and yet even with toleration, there are boundaries, and there are caveats. Be cautious you don’t mix the idea of tolerating with allowing for bad and hurtful behavior towards you or others.

7 Bits of Encouragement for Reconciliation

Becky’s mom did not approve of her relationship with Dave for the mere fact that he hailed from a different part of the world. She did all she could to dissuade her daughter, warning her of “dire consequences” if she went ahead with the wedding. Becky loved Dave and after spending oodles of time in prayer, she knew he was the one for her. Becky’s mom did not offer any support as she planned her wedding. Much to Becky’s horror, she didn't even step foot at her wedding.It had been four years since the wedding and Becky hadn’t spoken to her mom. She still nursed a raw, throbbing wound. As a Christian, she knew that God expected her to forgive her mom. Besides, she missed her a lot and yearned for her to meet her granddaughter whom they had named after her. She made up her mind to reach out to her in the hope that they could bury the hatchet and start afresh.God is pleased when His children live in harmony with each other. The Scriptures state that the Lord commands a blessing when His children live in unity (Psalm 133:3). Do you have any broken relationships? Do you sense the Spirit of God urging you to seek reconciliation? Purpose to act in obedience and trust Him for restoration.Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/evgenyatamanenko

15 Encouraging Proverbs for Friends

Part of Jesus’ mission on Earth was to be an example for us of how to live. As He went, He modeled what good friendship looks like. His words and actions were based on Old Testament principles. And if we study and apply the advice in books like Proverbs, we will grow more like Him in this area, too.

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