How do you plan to step into this year with confidence and faith?

The new year often brings a whirlwind of resolutions and lofty goals. Perhaps you’ve felt that familiar pull—“I’m going to do more of this,” “I’ll cut back on that,” or “This year, I’ll completely turn things around.”

But maybe that’s not where you are right now.

Maybe, instead of a burst of motivation, you feel unmotivated, stuck, or unsure.

What if what you’re missing isn’t motivation, but faith? Faith that God is with you. Faith that He has a plan. Faith that, in Him, you can walk with a new sense of purpose.

Faith is confidence.

And if you feel like you’re lacking confidence, let this be an invitation to lean into Him. Here are a few ways to grow in confidence this year—because as your confidence in God grows, so does your faith.

1. Make Time for Intentional Moments with the Lord

Husbands, as spiritual leaders of your home, you’re called to guide—not perfectly, but faithfully. Start small. Read a Bible verse to your children before bed, or take a moment to pray with your family. When you open your Bible, ask God to speak to your heart: “Lord, what do You want me to learn? Reveal Yourself to me.” These simple steps will deepen your relationship with God, building faith and intimacy with Him.

2. Embrace Risks with Courage

Wives, stepping into the unknown—whether in your marriage or personal growth—can feel daunting. But just as thrill-seekers find exhilaration in challenges like skydiving or bungee jumping, there’s a unique joy in stepping out in faith, even in intimate parts of your marriage. Confidence begins with trust—both in God and in the one He’s placed by your side.

3. Be Useful for God’s Kingdom

In Revelation 3, we’re reminded that God desires us to be useful—not lukewarm. Whether it’s the hot water for cleansing or cold water for refreshing, each has purpose. Empty nesters, your wisdom and experience are invaluable. There’s a generation that needs your guidance and your prayers. Step boldly into the role God has for you.

4. Trust in His Faithfulness

No matter what you face, trust that God is working for your good. His love is steadfast, His discipline is kind, and His plans are perfect. Even in moments of waiting or trial, you can have confidence that He will see you through.

5. Look to Biblical Role Models

Scripture is filled with examples of faith under pressure. Think of Mordecai’s courage, Esther’s boldness, Peter’s willingness to step out onto the waves, and Paul’s unwavering hope even in chains. Their lives remind us that faith often requires action—and that God uses those who trust Him to do extraordinary things.

This year, don’t wait for the perfect moment to begin. Take a step, even a small one, toward the place you feel God is calling you. A moving ship is easier to steer than one that’s standing still.

We’re here for you, cheering you on and praying for God to fill you with confidence—confidence that will not only transform your life but ripple out to bless your family, your community, and the Kingdom.

God delights in you. Let this truth guide you as you step boldly into what He has prepared for you this year.

God bless you!

Love,

Belah & Team

PS - If you want to grow in discipleship and transform your relationship with God (and in turn your marriage), we would love to chat with you: delightym.com/cc

PPS - Here is a testimonial from a recent graduate:
"I have grown in my time with God, my intense desire to understand the Word and trust God. I have also grown in my openness and vulnerability with my wife, I was honestly intimidated by having open conversations with her about how I felt."

How do you step into a new year with purpose?

Life can feel like a constant rush, can’t it? Maybe you’re juggling tasks right now, trying to get it all done before the clock strikes midnight on December 31st.

But as we prepare to turn the page on this year, what if we paused?

What if we took a moment to breathe deeply, to reflect, and to realign with what truly matters?

Believe it or not, you have done a lot of good this past year. Yes, there may be places where you have slipped up or there were hard lessons to learn, but look at the good. And look at the good God has done in you. God loves you. He really loves you. He delights in you! Take a moment to really let that sink in.

God delights in you.

As we step into the new year, I invite you to hold on to that truth.

So, how can you make the new year something that will honor Him and help you grow? Here are 10 things we suggest:

1. Continue to take time to reflect on this past year

Where did you see God’s hand in your life and marriage? Even in the hard moments, what growth or blessings came out of them? By reflecting, you not only honor what God has done but also prepare your heart to hear what He might want to do next.

2. Start your mornings with Purpose

Your mornings set the tone for the entire day. Carve out time to meet with God—reading Scripture, praying, or journaling your thoughts and goals. It doesn’t need to be lengthy or perfect, just consistent. A morning routine focused on Him can help you anchor your day in peace, purpose, and His perspective, rather than the perspective of the world.

There’s something grounding about holding a physical Bible in your hands. It slows you down, removes distractions, and helps you focus on God’s Word. His truth brings clarity and wisdom, especially as you make decisions and set goals for the year.

It’s tempting to set ambitious goals for January, but remember—life is a marathon, not a sprint. Instead of overwhelming yourself, focus on what’s realistic. Break down your goals by quarter. What’s most important for the first three months? Then build from there.

Perfection is not only unattainable but also draining. Instead of striving for flawless execution, aim for steady, faithful progress. Aiming for 80% will get you much farther than burning out in pursuit of an impossible ideal.

6. Create a Life Vision

If you haven’t done this in our program yet, a Life Vision is about looking at the bigger picture. Who is God calling you to be? What kind of legacy do you want to leave? Your Life Vision can guide your daily decisions, helping you prioritize what truly matters over what feels urgent.

Your marriage is one of the most significant relationships God has entrusted to you. How was your connection this year? Are there areas where you want to grow closer—spiritually, emotionally, or physically? Taking inventory helps you identify what’s working and where you’d like to improve in the coming year.

Discouragement is one of the Enemy’s favorite tools to derail us. Be alert to his lies and counter them with God’s truth. Surround yourself with Scripture and people who remind you of your worth and God’s plans for your life. Remember, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4).

Comparison can steal your joy and distract you from God’s unique calling for your life. Just as the eye and the foot serve different purposes in the body, we each have our roles in His plan. Focus on what He’s calling you to do, not what others are doing.

At the heart of all your planning and reflection, this is the most important question. Seek His wisdom and guidance as you set your intentions for the year. He knows the plans He has for you (Jeremiah 29:11), and they are good.

Through it all, stay rooted in God’s eternal perspective. Fix your heart on Christ, let His Word transform you, and step into the good works He’s prepared for you.

As we enter this new year, know that we’re here for you. Whether it’s helping you grow in your marriage or deepen your walk with Christ, we’re rooting for you and we cannot wait to see what God has in store for you.

God bless you!

Love,

Belah & Team

Do you remember what it was like falling in “like” with your spouse?

What was it that originally drew you to them? Maybe it was their humor, kindness, or how they made you feel seen and appreciated.

Over time, it's easy for that “like” to fade.

Instead, criticism, judgment, or even indifference creeps in.

But imagine being in your spouse’s shoes—everything they say and do, examined under a magnifying glass, critiqued and picked apart. That kind of scrutiny doesn’t help them thrive. And nothing wounds deeper than feeling that the person you chose, the one closest to you, doesn’t actually like you.

What if, instead, you accepted their weaknesses and quirks? After all, they have them, and so do you.

What if you chose to see their strengths instead? What if you noticed what they’re doing right and spoke it out loud?

I want to encourage you to take that step.

Scripture is clear about encouragement and loving our neighbors:

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves” Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 (ESV)

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)

Your spouse needs to know that you see the good in them. That you still like them. That you’re rooting for them, not against them. It’s amazing what a little grace and encouragement can do to rebuild connection and joy.

This Christmas week, I invite you to be gracious with your spouse. Notice the small things—their kindness, their effort, their dedication—and let them know you see it. Accept their weaknesses, support them gently, and call out the good that God has placed in them.

God bless you, and from all of us here at Delight Your Marriage, Merry Christmas!

Love,

Belah & Team

PS - If you want to learn more about how to love your closest neighbor well, we would love to chat with you. Click the link to schedule a FREE Clarity Call: delightym.com/cc

PPS - The third installment of our Pre-Marriage series, the Pre-Wedding Workbook, is available now! We hope this book blesses you and sets you on the path to a peaceful, playful, passionate, and purposeful marriage! Check it out here: Pre-Wedding Workbook

Change is possible.

We are honored to be able to share Pat’s story with you today.

After years of therapy and struggling with a porn addiction, Pat felt hopeless. He had done all he knew to do, yet there was still a hole in his heart—and in his marriage.

But Pat decided to take a courageous step of faith. After years of being a listener to the podcast, he made the call, and through the Masculinity Reclaimed program, he finally found what he had been searching for: true community and lasting change.

Surrounded by other men who were pursuing God and committed to loving their wives well, Pat finally found a community that felt safe enough to let his guard down. He began applying what he learned through the MR program, growing closer to God and putting in the work to heal his marriage.

And the results? His wife noticed the change, telling him, “It’s good to see the man I married back.” Pat himself shared that the hole he once felt in his marriage is now gone. Praise God!

We hope Pat’s journey inspires you and reminds you that change is possible—and it begins with you.

God bless you!

Love,

Belah & Team

How do you prioritize your life?

This episode is for our lovely wives in the audience.

Dear wives, life can feel like a never-ending whirlwind. Maybe right now you’re juggling errands, picking up your kids, or running around doing everything for everyone else. It’s easy to get caught up in all the demands, isn’t it?

But let’s pause for a moment and think about what God has asked us to prioritize. When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, His response was crystal clear:

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

Here’s something worth reflecting on—have you neglected your closest neighbor?

Your husband is your closest neighbor. He’s the one God has entrusted to you. The one you’re called to love as yourself—not just love, but love in a way that truly meets his unique needs.

It’s not about doing it all perfectly. It’s about leaning into curiosity and compassion. What if you remembered your husband is a brother in Christ? What if you began to discover and appreciate how God intentionally designed him—even the aspects you might not fully understand, like his sex drive? It’s all part of God’s good and purposeful plan.

In this episode, we’ll explore how God designed men (all the way from the beginning to now!), why their design matters, and how to love them in a way that speaks to their heart. It’s not about fixing him or changing him but learning to support and honor the way God made him.

I pray that as you listen, your perspective will shift. That you’ll see your husband with fresh eyes—eyes of grace, compassion, and discovery. Let this be a reminder to focus on loving your first neighbor well, just as God calls us to do.

God bless you!

Love,

Belah & Team

PS - If this episode resonated with you and you want to learn more about how to truly love your first neighbor well, we would love to chat with you: delightym.com/cc

PPS - Mark your calendar: The Pre-Wedding Workbook is releasing December 18th on Amazon! We cannot wait to get this workbook into your hands and hope it proves to be a great blessing to you and those around you. Stay tuned!

It’s so easy to feel the disconnect in your marriage and wonder if things can ever truly align.

Stu’s story is a beautiful reminder that transformation is possible.

Stu grew up feeling socially awkward and unsure about the purpose of marriage. After marrying his wonderful wife Linda and after 20 years of marriage, he still found himself asking, “How do I understand her?” and “How do I connect with her?” He described their relationship as feeling like “misaligned velcro.”

But instead of staying stuck, Stu decided to take a step of faith. Through the Delight Your Marriage program, he learned practical tools like the CIRQUE listening technique, which he called “revolutionary.” He discovered how to be prayerful and playful and he not only deepened his relationship with Linda but also grew closer to Christ.

Today, Stu says he and Linda are “perfectly aligned.” Praise God!

We hope Stu’s story inspires you to believe that change is possible. It’s possible to break free from feelings of disconnection. It’s possible to learn how to love your spouse in ways that make them feel cherished. And it’s possible for God to completely transform your marriage and your life.

God bless you!

Love,

Belah & Team

PS - If you are interested in taking the Marital Health Assessment that Stu mentions in this episode, you can find it here: https://delightyourmarriage.com/health/

PPS - If you want to participate in our FREE Masculinity Reclaimed Foundations Course, please check out this link: delightym.com/mrf

Let’s set the scene-

You’ve planned the perfect evening.

A Friday night—date night.

You and your wife are dressed to the nines. There’s a show, a fantastic dinner, and deep conversation that reconnects your hearts.

But then you arrive back home…

What are you hoping will happen next?

Here’s the truth: that unspoken hope—your expectation—might be doing more harm than you realize.

When a husband subconsciously expects intimacy, it can feel like pressure to his wife.

And that pressure? It makes her withdraw. Intimacy begins to feel transactional—like something she owes you, a “reward” for good effort, rather than a mutual outpouring of love.

In fact, the more you expect it, the less she’ll desire it.

So, how do you break free from this pattern and draw her closer instead?

Here are three key ideas:

1. Drop the expectations & be content in your life (find true contentment in life by letting God satisfy you in many ways)

2. Share your feelings more with your wife (She needs emotional connection in order to be open to physical intimacy)

3. Think strategically about your marriage (You’re intentional about your career, your goals—why not your marriage?)
   
   

In today’s episode, we unpack these three steps and explore how to release the pressure of expectations, discover fulfillment outside of intimacy (even when sex isn’t in the picture) [We highly recommend you checking out Ep. 417: Re-sensitize Your Pleasure for more on this topic], and create a marriage that’s full of joy, connection, and God-honoring pleasure.

We believe God when he said he meant for couples to be “one flesh”. And we believe that he created intimacy to be unifying, satisfying, and connecting heart, soul, and body.

We hope this episode brings a new perspective and new joy, intimacy, and connection into your marriage.

God bless you!

Belah & Team

PS - If this episode resonates with you, we highly recommend signing up for our FREE Masculinity Reclaimed Foundations Course at delightym.com/mrf.

PPS - Here is a quote from a recent MRF graduate:

"We were emotionally, intimately, and spiritually disconnected. We lived in the same house but didn't live together. I was angry and bitter, critical of everything, and judgmental. I hated that about myself. [Now,] My wife and I are closer than we have ever been! She has a glow. It's crazy how much we love each other. Life is fun! I can't stand to be without her. Glory to God!”