Focus on the Family Strengthening Marriage Podcast Safe Boundaries, Strong Love
Dec 18, 2025
Joining the conversation are Jerry Jenkins, bestselling author and speaker on marriage and faith, and Dr. Greg Smalley, marriage expert known for his practical counseling insights. They delve into the importance of setting boundaries in marriage to foster deeper intimacy. Jenkins shares wisdom from his book, Hedges, emphasizing how to guard against temptation with a strong biblical foundation. Smalley introduces his HALT acronym to identify vulnerability cues and offers actionable tips for resisting temptation while strengthening marital bonds.
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Boundaries Protect Intimacy
- Boundaries keep hearts open rather than push people away.
- They act as guardrails that protect connection and intimacy in marriage.
Set Specific Guardrails Together
- Put practical limits on media, friendships, and phone use to protect your marriage.
- Agree with your spouse on specific guardrails like phone-free connection times.
Encouraging A Hurting Friend Safely
- Jerry encouraged a hurt widow by telling her she remained attractive and valued.
- He involved his wife and followed her direction to avoid misunderstandings.