Give before you get — serving your spouse

No matter what season of marriage you're in, intentionality is essential. It's what keeps the spark alive, rekindles romance, and helps you withstand the temptations and pressures of everyday life. Chelsea Smith joins me to talk about her new book, "I Do" Today: A 52-Week Guide to the Marriage You've Been Waiting For. This conversation will encourage you, inspire you, and challenge you to pursue a marriage marked by purpose, growth, and joy because you were never meant to settle for anything less than an awesome marriage.

Episode Takeaways:

A healthy sex life is vital for a healthy marriage.

Serving your spouse before you feel like they deserve it will change your perspective and the atmosphere of your marriage.

Never settle for what you know about your spouse- stay curious.

Only God's design for marriage leads to the true fullness He intended for your relationship.

Quotes from this episode:

"Marriage is the hardest and most rewarding relationship we have in this life." - Dr. Kim

"We can't do it on our own." - Chelsea Smith

"The best gift we can give our children is a healthy marriage." - Chelsea Smith

"Our marriages are the strongest evangelistic tool we have." - Chelsea Smith

"Sex is different in a Christian marriage because there's a spiritual component." - Dr. Kim

"The marriage of your dreams isn't a fantasy." - Chelsea Smith

"The power of thoughts towards your spouse can change everything." - Chelsea Smith

"The marriage of your dreams is not difficult; it's work." - Chelsea Smith

"I want people to know that we still work at it. We've been through tough times too, but it's worth it." - Dr. Kim

"You can't just put them in a box and set aside. A lifetime is not long enough to learn everything there is about your spouse." - Dr. Kim

Couples Conversation Guide

1. On a scale of 1–10, how intentional have you been about investing in your marriage in this season?
2. What's one thing you could do today to move that number closer to a 10?
3. Are there any resentments, assumptions, or unspoken expectations that might be clouding how you see your spouse?
4. Does an "awesome marriage" feel attainable to you right now? If not, why—and what steps could you and your spouse take to move toward it together?

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Chelsea Smith is on Instagram

• "I Do" Today: A 52 Week Guide to the Marriage You've Been Waiting For.

• We gathered all 665 answers, organized them into the top 10 themes, and added 1 practical step for each theme so wives can better meet their husband's needs. 10 Things Husbands Want Their Wives to Understand

• Want an opportunity to dig into God's Word with your spouse? Find Awesome Marriage on YouVersion. God's design for marriage is the best blueprint for an awesome marriage, His Mission, Our Marriage: Building a Christ-Centered Marriage will challenge you to remember your marriage is on mission for the Kingdom.

• If you haven't browsed our site, you've GOT to check out the marriage resources we have over at AwesomeMarriage.com, and browse our online courses at AwesomeMarriageUniversity.com !

• Speaking of being intentional! Sign up for Dr. Kim's Marriage Multiplier email for practical weekly marriage tips!

• Now is the perfect time to join our Marriage Changers program. Enjoy every resource of the month plus bonus content from Dr. Kim and Mrs. Nancy. Join now, just in time to receive our 10 Things Husbands Want.