Exploring Happiness in Marriage: A Deep Dive into Spiritual vs. Fleshly Satisfaction

Show notes

About This Episode Are you seeking happiness in your marriage, or feeling like joy is elusive? We all want to feel content no matter what's going on. In this episode we talk about why we're driven to pursue happiness and where to find it when it seems hard to come by. We look at the chemistry behind good feelings, a short film about a rat chasing happiness through New York, and a study finding marriage to be the best predictor of happiness in America. From our 16+ years of marriage, including some hard seasons, we share why a marriage built on feelings is unstable, since the flesh is never satisfied. Using Psalm 1's picture of a tree planted by streams of water, we point to the lasting contentment found in Christ.

About Aaron & Jennifer Smith Aaron and Jennifer Smith are the founders of Marriage After God and authors of Husband After God, Wife After God, and Marriage After God. Married since 2007 and raising six children in Bend, Oregon, they started Husband Revolution and Unveiled Wife to share what God was teaching them, not from a place of having it figured out, but as fellow travelers pointing couples back to Jesus.

In This Episode The pursuit of happiness — why we're all driven to feel content Family updates — swim lessons and Truett asking a friend if he knows God The chemistry of happiness — dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin, and why the feeling fades Chasing happiness — a short film about a rat in New York as a picture of our pursuit Marriage and happiness — a study naming marriage the best predictor of happiness in America Feelings aren't the foundation — why defining marriage by happiness makes it unstable The flesh is never satisfied — Ecclesiastes and Romans 8:13 on fleshly desire Planted by streams of water — Psalm 1 and delighting in God's Word Practical steps — growing happiness and satisfaction in your marriage

Scripture Referenced Ecclesiastes 1:7-8 Romans 8:13 Psalm 1:1-3

Resources from This Episode Our episode today is sponsored by The Marriage Gift: 365 Prayers For Our Marriage. Short film: a rat chasing happiness in New York Study: the best predictor of happiness in America is marriage Get our new book The Marriage Gift - 365 prayers for your marriage! Check out our marriage resources! Full show notes and blog post

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