{"id":311744,"date":"2025-01-14T03:56:39","date_gmt":"2025-01-14T08:56:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis\/"},"modified":"2025-01-14T03:56:40","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T08:56:40","slug":"why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Physical Health Matters for your Marriage: Dave &#038; Ashley Willis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Could your physical health influence how you act toward your spouse? Bestselling authors Dave &#038; Ashley Willis chat about genuine change in your bodies &#038; relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Could your physical health influence how you act toward your spouse? Bestselling authors Dave &#038; Ashley Willis chat about genuine change in your bodies &#038; relationship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":47000,"featured_media":280865,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/traffic.omny.fm\/d\/clips\/cbd16f10-ac60-4f09-b4df-b15400ce35aa\/33aaac7e-3581-4e21-a3df-b154011ba58c\/41c56227-d4ed-4a56-9821-b24a01164942\/audio.mp3","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:29:48","filesize":"27.32M","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2810],"tags":[],"podcast_series":[10928],"cwp_profile":[9755],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-311744","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-growing-spiritually","podcast_series-healthy-intimacy-dave-ashley-willis","cwp_profile-dave-and-ashley-willis","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/06\/image-scaled.jpg?w=1024","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/311744\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/311744\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"cYz79ad56Z\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis\/\">Why Physical Health Matters for your Marriage: Dave &#038; Ashley Willis<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/why-physical-health-matters-for-your-marriage-dave-ashley-willis\/embed\/#?secret=cYz79ad56Z\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Why Physical Health Matters for your Marriage: Dave &#038; Ashley Willis&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"cYz79ad56Z\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/06\/image-scaled.jpg",1024,1024,true]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Margaret","author_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/author\/margaret-coylefamilylife-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Could your physical health influence how you act toward your spouse? Bestselling authors Dave & Ashley Willis chat about genuine change in your bodies & relationship.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product\/naked-and-healthy-uncover-the-lifestyle-your-mind-body-spirit-and-marriage-need\/\">Purchase \"Naked and Healthy\" on the FamilyLife online shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.weekendtoremember.com\">Register to Weekend to Remember<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Find resources from this podcast at <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/radio-resources\/\">shop.familylife.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/shop.familylife.com\/product-category\/past-radio-resources\/\">See resources from our past podcasts.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Find more content and resources on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/flministries\/app\/\">FamilyLife's app<\/a>!<\/li>\n<li>Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303\">Apple Podcast<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm?si=d6dfa8d2415f4750\">Spotify<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Check out all the FamilyLife's podcasts on the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/flministries\/familylife-podcast-network\/\">FamilyLife Podcast Network<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylife.com\/fl2025-01-14.pdf","transcript_content":"\nFamilyLife Today\u00ae National Radio Version (time edited) Transcript\r\n\r\nReferences to conferences, resources, or other special promotions may be obsolete.\r\n\r\nWhy Physical Health Matters for Your Marriage\r\n\r\nGuests:Dave and Ashley Willis\r\n\r\nFrom the series:Healthy Intimacy (Day 2 of 3)\r\n\r\nAir date:January 14, 2025\r\n\r\nDave: I\u2019ll tell you: one of the greatest moments of my life was that guy that came up to \r\n\r\nus at the Hershey Weekend to Remember\u00ae conference and asked us to rip up his \r\n\r\ndivorce papers.\r\n\r\nAnn: That was the greatest moment.\r\n\r\nDave: That was incredible. And it was so incredible, because he didn't want to come to \r\n\r\nthis conference. His wife sort of made him come; and he said, \u201cI'll go just Friday.\u201d But he \r\n\r\nended up liking Friday night\u2014stayed through Saturday and Sunday morning\u2014and said, \r\n\r\n\u201cGod did a miracle. We were going to get divorced tomorrow on Monday, but God did a \r\n\r\nmiracle. We're going home with hope and a plan.\u201d And let me tell you: that's what \r\n\r\nhappens at FamilyLife Weekend to Remembers all over the country.\r\n\r\nAnn: And you might be intimidated thinking, \u201cAre we going to have to bunch up and talk \r\n\r\nto people?\u201d No, this is just the two of you. You'll be sitting with people, but it's just the \r\n\r\ntwo of you interacting\u2014mostly listening, laughing\u2014digging into some areas maybe that \r\n\r\nyou just haven't had time to talk about. This conference can change marriages for the \r\n\r\nbetter.\r\n\r\nDave: Yeah; we're going to tell you, right now\u2014you can sign up and get 50 percent off \r\n\r\nthrough January 20\u201450 percent off your registration. So I would just encourage you: \r\n\r\n\u201cGo to FamilyLife Today right now; click on the banner and sign up for FamilyLife's \r\n\r\nWeekend to Remember. Or if you want to give us a call, call us at 800-358-6329; that's \r\n\r\n800-F as in Family, L as in Life, and the word, TODAY.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: This might sound crazy; but one of the things that I\u2019ve always appreciated that you do, Dave, is you really do take care of yourself. Even the fact that you would make an appointment; go to the doctor.\r\n\r\nDave: You told me to. [Laughter] \r\n\r\nAnn: I know, but you actually did it! I feel\u2014\r\n\r\nDave: No, I\u2019m kidding! You didn\u2019t tell me to, but there have been times where I didn\u2019t take care\u2014I didn\u2019t get a physical\u2014but now, I\u2019m like, \u201cNo, this is something\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: Yes, and that makes me\u2014\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014\u201cit\u2019s important.\u201d \r\n\r\nAnn: It\u2019s crazy; because I feel loved, and I feel secure.\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014when I\u2014what?!\r\n\r\nAnn: Yes! Like knowing that you\u2019re taking care of yourself\/that makes me not worry about the future. That makes me think, \u201cOh, he\u2019s going to be around a little bit; because he\u2019s taking care of himself.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave: So you\u2019re telling me that I should go play more golf? That\u2019s what I\u2019m hearing. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nAnn: Is it physically exerting? Is that good for your heart?\r\n\r\nDave: You\u2019re telling me I should go work out; that\u2019s a good thing.\r\n\r\nAnn: No, no; it doesn\u2019t matter to me what you do, but I do like that you\u2019re taking care of yourself.\r\n\r\nDave: Do you think all wives feel that way? \r\n\r\nAnn: I think that we worry about our man\u2019s health\u2014you know?\u2014because we love you, and we want you to be around.\r\n\r\nAnn: Welcome to FamilyLife Today, where we want to help you pursue the relationships that matter most. I\u2019m Ann Wilson.\r\n\r\nDave: And I\u2019m Dave Wilson, and you can find us at FamilyLifeToday.com. This is FamilyLife Today.\r\n\r\nDave: So we\u2019ve got Dave and Ashley Willis back in the studio with us at FamilyLife Today. Welcome back.\r\n\r\nAshley: Thank you! Glad to be back.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Thanks for having us.\r\n\r\nDave: We are glad you guys are back. You know, many know you as the authors of Naked Marriage and the Naked Marriage podcast. And your latest book, Naked &amp;amp; Healthy\u2014which means you guys are health nuts; right?\u2014that means you\u2019re just nutritionists and physical specimens; right?\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Totally!\r\n\r\nAshley: Sometimes. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Why do I feel like everyone is smirking when they look at me, saying, \u201cYou look like a heath nut\u201d? [Laughter] The irony is I\u2019m not in that great of shape; okay? [Laughter] I have love handles, and God called me to write a health book.\r\n\r\nAnn: We would never know that, Dave. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: Well, it\u2019s all about baggy clothing. \r\n\r\nDave: There you go!\r\n\r\nAshley: He\u2019s in great shape. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: I\u2019ve found that, if you wear the right shirts, you can cover a multitude of sins. \r\n\r\nDave: Well, it\u2019s interesting; in this book, as we\u2019re going to talk about, you say: Uncover the Lifestyle Your Mind, Body, Spirit, and Marriage Need. We\u2019ve already talked sort of about the mind and the emotions; today\u2019s about the body. \r\n\r\nAshley: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave: Right.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Well, let me say really quickly why this came together the way that it did anyway. It\u2019s\/folks would ask: \u201cWell, how do you have a healthy marriage?\u201d \u201cHow do you have a healthy marriage?\u201d \r\n\r\nThere are all of these relationship principles that you always share; but when we really started digging into it, and researching, like: \u201cWhat is it that the couples, who are healthy in every way, what does that look like?\u201d We found, you know, what seems like would kind of be common sense: when we prioritize our own health; and we encourage one another toward healthy living, mind, body, and soul; then the health of our marriage, as a by-product, is naturally going to get healthier too.\r\n\r\nBut sometimes, part of the reason why the marriage isn\u2019t healthy is because we\u2019ve neglected our own health;\u2014 \r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014so we feel bad, physically. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014so we just feel bad!\r\n\r\nAnn: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: It\u2019s like we\u2019re feeling bad; we\u2019re not at our best, so we can\u2019t be the best spouse that we could be. God wants us to have a healthy life, a healthy marriage\u2014it\u2019s mind, body, and soul; and if we\u2019ll do those things, while at the same time, prioritizing our marriage\u2014then we\u2019re both going to be at our best. That was the goal behind the book: is helping both spouses be at their best, individually, and learning the principles, where they could learn to do that together within marriage.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes; and I mean, we\u2019ve read it; it\u2019s a fantastic book. Everything you do\u2014you\u2019re really helping marriages\u2014not just here, but everywhere in the world. It\u2019s pretty exciting!\r\n\r\nDave Willis: We want to be like you guys! \r\n\r\nAshley: Yes, like you guys.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: You\u2019re role models. \r\n\r\nDave: And I do want to say something because it is a pretty cool week for our listeners. \r\n\r\nOur Weekend to Remember marriage getaways with FamilyLife are, right now, half \r\n\r\nprice. We talk about this kind of stuff; I mean, there's a session on the physical in the \r\n\r\nweekend. And\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014the intimacy of marriage\u2014physically, emotionally; kind of like what you guys \r\n\r\nare talking about\u2014and even why God instituted marriage.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes; so many people are confused about: \u201cWhat does the Word of God have to say about the physical, even in a marriage?\u201d We dive into everything in that weekend. \r\n\r\nIt changed our marriage. It was the first place, as an engaged couple we went to, where we ever got a vision for what God wanted marriage to be. We had no idea until that weekend. It\u2019s great for marriages at 20, 30, or 40 years as well. Anyway, all of that to say, \u201cYou should sign up.\u201d Half price! Come on, man: half price!\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Half price.\r\n\r\nDave: FamilyLifeToday.com; you can sign up.\r\n\r\nAnn: This is your opportunity to pull away and really invest in your marriage. \r\n\r\nDave: Yes; okay, so Willises, talk about: \u201cHow does the physical impact a marriage?\u201d We\u2019re not\u2014obviously, you wrote the book\u2014it\u2019s not just about the sexual part of your marriage, but physical health\/physical everything. Talk to us about it, because we often think about mental and emotional; we think about spiritual. Often, we think the body is important; but it\u2019s not really going to impact my marriage in a great way. How does it impact?\r\n\r\nAshley: Oh, my goodness. Well, if you're not feeling good, then you're probably not \r\n\r\ngoing to treat people as well. I know that, for me, has definitely been the case. That can \r\n\r\nbe feeling good physically\u2014or even hungry\u2014if you're hungry. You guys have heard the \r\n\r\nterm before\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: Hangry?\r\n\r\nAshley: Yeah; you're hangry, right? And it's not a good time to necessarily bring up a \r\n\r\nreally important conversation at that time because you're not feeling good. And I think \r\n\r\nthat in marriage, like you said, we tend to forget the importance of that. Dave and I have \r\n\r\nlearned this the hard way. We literally started out our marriage kind of doing\u2014and we \r\n\r\ngo into great detail about this in the book\u2014but we kind of challenged each other, \r\n\r\nactually in our engagement, to get in the best shape we could before our wedding night. \r\n\r\nDave: The honeymoon vibe.\r\n\r\nAshley: The honeymoon, right? \r\n\r\nDave: That's right. \r\n\r\nAshley: And so we did, and we actually got in some really good shape. And then we \r\n\r\nwent to an all-inclusive resort on our honeymoon. And I don't think we've ever eaten so \r\n\r\nmany calories in our life. I think I gained\u2014because I had lost too much weight\u2014and I \r\n\r\nthink I gained something like five to ten pounds or something on our honeymoon. \r\n\r\nAnn: Are we not supposed to do that? \r\n\r\nAshley: Maybe we should\u2014\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014keep eating.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: We say, \u201cSome people love each other in sickness and in health. We've loved each other in thickness and in health.\u201d we have. That's what we've said because we've had the full spectrum. And we try to come back though to what God, actually, this is the biblical principle we come back to in the book. Everything we do; we try to base it completely on God\u2019s Word. I had a preacher-mentor of mine who said [imitating voice], \u201cNow, Dave, whenever you speak, try to use a lot of Scripture. That way you\u2019ll know, at least, something you said is actually true.\u201d [Laughter] I always come back to that! \r\n\r\nDave: Is that his accent too? That\u2019s pretty good.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: That\u2019s how he talks; that\u2019s how he talks.\r\n\r\nAshley: It is.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: So we always try to come back to Scripture. What Scripture says on this, in 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul is challenging the church in Corinth; in one of the strongest ways he says it on this topic is\/he says, \u201cHonor God with your bodies.\u201d And in the broader context, it\u2019s: \u201cYou\u2019ve been bought with a price.\u201d You know, people in Corinth were sinning sexually; getting caught up in a lot of the gluttony, and hedonism, and a lot of things of the culture. He was saying, \u201cHey guys, listen! I know these bodies are temporary, but what we do in these bodies can have an eternal significance. You need to train and discipline your body like an athlete, and you need to honor God with your bodies.\u201d That doesn't mean we all have to have six pack abs. I've never seen my abs\u2014I believe they're there\u2014it's a faith thing, that I believe.\r\n\r\nAshley: It\u2019s a faith thing. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave Willis: There's a lot of feasting in the Bible too. I don't think Christians are supposed to be too skinny. I'm always a little skeptical of really skinny Christians.\r\n\r\nAshley: Oh, my goodness. \r\n\r\nAnn: But what about the pushback that people are saying, \u201cWe shouldn't be consumed \r\n\r\nwith worldly things. Looking really good\u2014that's worldly\u2014what would you say to that?\r\n\r\nDave Willis:Well, it's not about vanity; it's about stewardship. God has given us one body, and we've got to do our best to be at our best in it. Because what we do\u2014and again, Paul's analogy\u2014we're training our bodies, not just to win a trophy or a prize like the world gives out\u2014even though there's nothing wrong with an athlete working hard to win a medal, or a trophy, or whatever. But we're training our bodies because what we do in these bodies has eternal significance: for God's work in God's kingdom. For us to be able to do all He's called us to do\u2014for ministry, for marriage, for our own legacy\u2014we need to be healthy. I mean, I think we'll still enjoy life. \r\n\r\nAnd my goodness\u2014I have good desires in this area\u2014but when it comes to food, let me tell you a quick example. I was in a grocery store recently, and there\u2019s something about being in a grocery store around food: my judgment just plummets. [Laughter] I\u2019m not as good\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: Dave, I am with you on this!\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014I ran into someone that\u2014she and I used to have an unhealthy relationship\u2014I thought that she was just part of my past and was not going to be part of my future\u2014but I saw her in the store, and I just felt these old feelings. Her name is Little Debbie\u00ae. [Laughter] I saw her displays, and I just\u2014I don\u2019t know\u2014a lot of\u2014\r\n\r\nDave: I was wondering, \u201cWhere are you going with that?\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: \u201cWhere is this going, Dave?\u201d\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014a lot of old feelings came back, and I put a few boxes there in the cart.\r\n\r\nAshley: There\u2019s a specific Little Debbie, though.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Oatmeal cr\u00e8me pie.\r\n\r\nDave: You took her home; huh?\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I took her home. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nAshley: He took her home.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I mean, I had to confess to Ashley: \u201cAshly, I brought Little Debbie home. I just want you to know.\u201d [Laughter]\r\n\r\nAshley: He even\u2014guys, he even hid it in a cabinet, like in a special cabinet.\r\n\r\nDave: You really did?\r\n\r\nAnn: Wait; this is for real.\r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014for real, for real.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: No, no! No, no; I can\u2019t, because our kids eat everything! They eat so much stuff. \r\n\r\nAshley: We have four boys;\u2014\r\n\r\nDave Willis: It\u2019s just a lot.\r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014big appetites.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Now, when I do bring Little Debbie home, I have to hide the box.\r\n\r\nAnn: Oh, yes; I get it.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I have a special hiding place, because they will find it; they will just find it.\r\n\r\nAshley: They will. \r\n\r\nBut we try to have balance. I think, you know, some people listening might be going, like, \u201cWell, what does this even have to do with marriage?\u201d I think\u2014not only do we want to feel at our best for each other, and be at our best for each other, and to live a longer life together\u2014you know, there are a lot of things we can\u2019t control about our physical health that comes our way, with different diagnoses we get\u2014or maybe, a tragedy\u2014maybe, we\u2019re in a terrible wreck that kind of causes us to have some permanent damage and changes we have to make in our life. \r\n\r\nWe\u2019re talking about doing what you can, with the body God has given you, to be at your best; but we need to pay attention to the fact that it\u2019s never our job, though, to be our spouse\u2019s critical coach.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Oh, no, no, no!\r\n\r\nAshley: And that\u2019s where we\u2019ve literally seen this one issue of physical health become the thing that causes the most marital problems: where one spouse, maybe, values physical health more than the other spouse; and they keep on being critical of their spouse\/of their spouse\u2019s body. It just makes their spouse feel less-than, and it causes a lot of fights; and it causes a lot of disagreements over what food to have in the house and what routine to do.\r\n\r\nAnn: Oh, yes!\r\n\r\nAshley: I mean, it can really get out of hand. I think, for some people, this may be a minor issue; but I can\u2019t tell you how many times we\u2019ve counseled couples, where this is the issue! \r\n\r\nI think that there\u2019s truth on both sides. If that\u2019s your marriage dynamic:\r\n\r\nIf maybe you\u2019re listening, and you have always been a healthy person; maybe you\u2019re an athlete, and health has been a huge part of your life; you\u2019ve always pretty much been in good shape, and it\u2019s been something that you take pride in\u2014that\u2019s awesome! That\u2019s a good thing. I mean, kudos to you for staying healthy and using the gifts that God has given you. \r\n\r\nBut then there are other people where, maybe they\u2019ve just not valued health as much\u2014maybe they grew up in a home, where it wasn\u2019t valued as much; or maybe they\u2019ve had bodies that don\u2019t cooperate: I mean, there are some people who aren\u2019t as coordinated, or they\u2019re not gifted physically when it comes to sports and such; or maybe their metabolism doesn\u2019t work like their spouse\u2019s, and they\u2019re constantly battling gaining weight\u2014and they\u2019re trying the best they can, but they just can\u2019t lose the weight they want to lose. You know, there are both sides to this.\r\n\r\nI think that what happens, when a husband and wife find themselves in this dynamic\u2014and they don\u2019t really, you know, try to look at their spouse as being just different\u2014you know, they don\u2019t\/I think sometimes they think, \u201cWell, I\u2019m right!\u201d\u2014like\u2014\u201cI\u2019m right; you\u2019re wrong.\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: They\u2019re not offering grace to the spouse.\r\n\r\nAshley: They don\u2019t offer grace!\r\n\r\nAnn: Yes.\r\n\r\nAshley: And that\u2019s where we see so many fights. It really can affect your sex life, majorly. I mean, if you feel your spouse doesn\u2019t like your body, and isn\u2019t attracted to you, I mean, it really kills the mood. And there are things like that. We really have to pay attention to kind of how we\u2019re approaching our spouse\u2014and what we say about their body; how we look at them\u2014if we\u2019re being critical, we need to stop!\r\n\r\nDave: So what do you do? I mean, if you see your spouse\u2014and again, not being super-critical like they\u2019ve just gone off the deep end, and they don\u2019t care; but if they\u2019re starting to, you think, make unhealthy choices,\u2014\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014physically and with food, and you don\u2019t want to be critical; but you also want to be helpful. \r\n\r\nI mean, I\u2019m not talking about our marriage; I\u2019m just talking about somebody. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nAnn: Yes, but he\u2019s looking! Did you see? [Laughter] He just spied at me in the corner of his eyes.\r\n\r\nDave: I\u2019m thinking Ann\u2019s felt that toward me. \r\n\r\nAnn: No, I haven\u2019t! [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave: No; I know there\u2019s a couple listening, or a spouse listening, going, \u201cWell, yes; but I see that he\u2019s drifting,\u201d or \u201c\u2026she\u2019s drifting. Do I say nothing?\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: Well, I have a friend, whose husband gave her a gym membership for Christmas. She\u2019s already been struggling, and she knows it. But for him to give that to her, she felt like, \u201cWow! He thinks I\u2019ve totally lost control.\u201d And then she gained more weight, because she felt so much shame.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Yes.\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave: So don\u2019t do the gym membership? [Laughter]\r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014unless she\u2019s asked for it!\u2014or he\u2019s asked for it; you know?\r\n\r\nDave: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I think, in marriage, we\u2019ve got to be each other\u2019s biggest cheerleader, not each other\u2019s biggest critic.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: You know, the spiritual gifts list in the Bible includes the gift of encouragement. \r\n\r\nAnn: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: But the gift of critic is nowhere in there. And some people think, in marriage, that they have this gift or this responsibility to criticize their spouse, or parent or coach their spouse. And that crushes the partnership dynamic that God intended marriage to be, so just encourage each other toward good things. \r\n\r\nThat doesn\u2019t mean we put our heads in the sand\u2014\r\n\r\nAshley: Right.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014if a spouse is going off the deep end.\r\n\r\nAshley: He just motioned to me. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave Willis: No, no! [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave: I didn\u2019t see that. \r\n\r\nAshley: He did; he did!\r\n\r\nDave: She did, Dave. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: She is the more disciplined in every part of our marriage. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave: I think he was motioning toward me.\r\n\r\nAshley: Right; right.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: She is the more disciplined by far; but for us, we\u2019ve just tried to like encourage each other by saying, \u201cHey, let\u2019s get in the habit together. Let\u2019s go on a walk every night,\u201d\u2014you know? \u2014which is where our best conversations happen. You know, when we can just get outside, go on a walk; we\u2019re getting some exercise together; but it\u2019s also about connecting\u2014\r\n\r\nAshley: Right.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014instead of just saying, \u201cHey, here\u2019s a gym membership; you know, you could use it.\u201d \r\n\r\nIf either one of us ever wants to make an investment in our own health, we try to always support that, even if it\u2019s a lean time, financially. If one of us says: \u201cHey, I want to get a gym membership,\u201d or \u201cI would like to, you know, buy this home equipment,\u201d\u2014or whatever it might be\u2014then it\u2019s like, \u201cWell, let\u2019s figure out a way to make that happen\u201d; because an investment in our health is good. It\u2019s going to help us be at our best, and we want to help each other be at our best. \r\n\r\nAn image we use in the book is\u2014like if your life\/it\u2019s sort of like built on a three-legged stool\u2014and the three legs of that stool are mental health, physical health, and spiritual health. A lot of us will get two of those three right. I think, especially sometimes in Christian circles, we prioritize the two\u2014the mental and spiritual\u2014and we don\u2019t at all the physical. \r\n\r\nAnd when we don\u2019t at all with the physical, then that table is missing a whole leg\u2014and it\u2019s going to make things wobbly, even if your heart\u2019s in the right place, your mind\u2019s in the right place, and your relationship with God\u2019s right\u2014but if you\u2019re constantly battling with the physical stuff\u2014like Ashley said: \u201cSometimes it\u2019s out of your control.\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: If you\u2019re dealing with an issue like cancer\u2014or my gosh, whatever issue it is\u2014as spouses, it\u2019s a privilege to just serve each other in those areas, and to carry your spouse, and hold them in their moments of weakness. \r\n\r\nLike Ashley said before, as far as it depends on us, even if we are dealing with an injury\u2014and like I share I\u2019ve gone through a thyroid disorder that\u2019s kind of put my whole body out of whack and changed a lot about my life\u2014it\u2019s just you do the best you can with what you\u2019ve got.\r\n\r\nAshley: You do. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: And say, \u201cWell, one day we\u2019re going to get a new body in heaven anyway;\u201d\u2014 that will have abs; I\u2019m convinced\u2014[Laughter]\u2014\u201cbut right now, with this one I\u2019ve got, I want it to be as healthy as I can; and let\u2019s encourage each other in that.\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave: And I think one of the beautiful parts of the physical with your spouse\u2014and again, we often go right to the sexual relationship\u2014but when you\u2019re going through something physically, and you have a spouse there as your partner, what a gift! \r\n\r\nWhat you just said, Dave, whether it\u2019s cancer\u2014I mean, I went through a back surgery thing, where I was fighting sciatica for\u2014oh, I don\u2019t know\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014years!\r\n\r\nDave: \u2014seven or eight years.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Wow.\r\n\r\nDave: I kept putting off surgery; and you know, I did different things at work. But when I finally went in for surgery\u2014which, by the way, is one of the best things I\u2019ve ever done; I\u2019ve never had sciatica one second since.\r\n\r\nAshley: Awesome!\r\n\r\nDave: But all I can remember about that time period in my life is she was right there.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave: I mean, I had a partner sympathizing with me, understanding, supporting me.\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014at least, to your face. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave: Yes! I heard later, after the surgery\u2014I came home; and I\u2019m lying on the couch, like, \u201cI\u2019m going to do everything the doctor said. I\u2019m never going to get up. I\u2019m never\u2026\u201d\u2014she and my son went in the other room and just laughed! [Laughter] I heard, later, they laughed: \u201cLook at Dad! He\u2019s so\u2026\u201d\r\n\r\nDave Willis: They\u2019re mocking.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes. [Laughter] \r\n\r\nAnn: But we didn\u2019t do it to his face.\r\n\r\nAshley: Right.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: And that\u2019s compassion.\r\n\r\nAnn: Right; exactly.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: It\u2019s all in good fun.\r\n\r\nAnn: And so many women would say, \u201cMy husband is such a baby when he gets sick.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave: I am a baby! Aren\u2019t you a baby?\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I am! I\u2019m telling you\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: I wish you could see Ashley\u2019s face right now. [Laughter]\r\n\r\nDave: She just affirmed that: \u201cYou\u2019re a baby.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave Willis: She broke her toe a couple weeks ago in the kitchen. She just rammed her pinky toe and snapped it in half.\r\n\r\nAnn: Oh!\r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014like I knew it was broken right away. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: I mean, snapped it. And I heard it.\r\n\r\nDave: I didn\u2019t notice you limp at all.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: No; she\u2019s\u2014\r\n\r\nDave: Dave would be on crutches!\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014because she\u2019s a warrior.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: She\u2019s Jason Bourne over here. [Laughter] She snapped her toe, and all she does go, \u201cUmm; well, I broke my toe.\u201d [Laughter] If it had been me, I would still be weeping\u2014gnashing of teeth, crying\u2014there\u2019d be a prayer chain; meal [train] at church. [Laughter] It\u2019s like, \u201cKeep people bringing meals.\u201d I would have milked it! But she is just so tough. \r\n\r\nI think that most marriages are like this: women are tougher. Men act like we\u2019re tougher.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: And our wives let us believe that we are, but we all know. \r\n\r\nDave: I know.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I could not deliver a baby!\r\n\r\nDave: I agree.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: I wanted an epidural for her childbirth. [Laughter] I wanted it! \r\n\r\nYou ladies are just so much tougher.\r\n\r\nDave: They\u2019re tougher. \r\n\r\nWell, talk about this\u2014we don\u2019t have a lot of time left\u2014but you know, let\u2019s do talk a little bit about the sexual physical part of a marriage. And because of time, if you could say one thing, what would be the first thing\u2014maybe it\u2019s different for both of you\u2014that you would say to a couple, who say, \u201cHow could you help me in my marriage in this area? How should I think differently\/act differently? Talk to me about God\u2019s heart for the sexual aspect of our marriage.\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: I would say sex is important.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Amen.\r\n\r\nAshley: And it needs to be happening regularly. It\u2019s going to look different for every couple. I mean, we have so many couples write us and say, \u201cHow many times a week? How many times a month should we have sex?\u201d And wanting us to give a number. I would say, \u201cYou know, we can\u2019t do that. It\u2019s different for every couple.\u201d One thing that is for sure is, as you grow older, that\u2019s going to change a little bit; your body is changing. \r\n\r\nDave: Oh, yes; you\u2019re sitting here with a couple that\u2019s older, so we can affirm that. \r\n\r\nAnn: Yes.\r\n\r\nAshley: Well, yes; of course! \r\n\r\nI think, though, sometimes, too, we\u2019ll kind of reach some stumbling blocks, where things aren\u2019t working the same as they did, or maybe the libido has changed or something. We find where couples kind of come to a crossroads where, you know, maybe one spouse feels frustrated by it is like: \u201cYou know what? This is just it. I guess we\u2019re just never going to have sex again,\u201d or \u201c\u2026not nearly the amount we used to.\u201d \r\n\r\nI would just say, \u201cLet\u2019s not make excuses. First of all, let\u2019s have compassion for each other, but let\u2019s also not make excuses. Yes, things are going to change as we get older; but sometimes, there are underlying issues.\u201d Like Dave\u2019s thyroid issue; it really affected his testosterone, just to be honest about our own situation. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: That\u2019s personal!\r\n\r\nAshley: He talks about it all the time. [Laughter] But he didn\u2019t just sit back and say, \u201cWell, this is just me! Guess there\u2019s nothing I can do.\u201d He did research, and he went and talked to his doctor; and he got on some supplements. He knew he wasn\u2019t feeling quite like himself. And so, I think, you know, just being willing to talk to the professionals who can maybe help you. \r\n\r\nA lot of times, there are things\u2014especially even when it comes to energy level or, you know, our hormone levels being off\u2014there are things that we can do. You know, God gave us these amazing people, who become doctors and do all this research, and can help us in this area.\r\n\r\nAnd also, pray about it! Don\u2019t be afraid to pray about your sex life; God created sex! It was completely His idea for marriage,\u2014 \r\n\r\nDave Willis: Thank you, Lord. \r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014as a blessing and an amazing way for a married couple to connect. So don\u2019t be afraid if you\u2019re having issues in this area; pray about it. God actually cares about your sex life.\r\n\r\nDave: I don't know who we were talking to\u2014I don't know if it was on FamilyLife Today \r\n\r\nor not, or I just heard a podcast\u2014but the couple talked about praying before they made \r\n\r\nlove. You pray that God would show up in this church service; you pray that God would \r\n\r\nshow up when we do something with our kids. Why wouldn't you pray, and say, \u201cGod, \r\n\r\nI'm asking You to bless us now as we make love\u201d? It's like, \u201cWhoa! That's a concept.\u201d \r\n\r\nAshley: Absolutely!\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Yes; that's a good prayer. \r\n\r\nAshley: It is a good prayer.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: It is; it's a beautiful and holy moment that God created. I think that, as a \r\n\r\nculture, even within the church, we've kind of bought into this myth that the devil owns \r\n\r\nsex now; and we're embarrassed to talk about it. We're embarrassed to enjoy it; \r\n\r\nbecause we think, \u201cNo, this feels wrong.\u201d And maybe, it's because of mindsets we were \r\n\r\nraised with and all that. And that's why we talk so much about it on the Naked Marriage \r\n\r\npodcast and the book. \r\n\r\nDave: You guys talk about it a lot.\r\n\r\nAnn: You do. \r\n\r\nAshley: We do. \r\n\r\nAnn: I thought we did, but you're more even than us.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Well, it's all Ashley ever wants to talk about; it makes me uncomfortable. \r\n\r\nAshley: Oh, right; right.\r\n\r\nAnn: I\u2019m sure that\u2019s it.\r\n\r\nAs we end our time together on this topic, give us some application as we close: like \r\n\r\nmaybe a couple things that we can do in this area that would really be beneficial to the \r\n\r\nphysical part of our health.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: Well, starting just to be as practical as I can with\u2014\r\n\r\nDave: I know what you're going to say: \u201cNo more Little Debbies.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave Willis: No more little Deb\u2014no\u2014you know what? I think Little Debbie is an angel \r\n\r\nsent from the Lord to bring His comfort in our dark times. \r\n\r\nAshley: My goodness. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: And I'm going to hold onto that\u2014\r\n\r\nAshley: \u2014in moderation.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u2014moderation.\r\n\r\nAshley: Moderation. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: I think, sometimes, a couple\u2014or an individual within marriage\u2014will get \r\n\r\ninto the mindset\u2014we're talking about physical health, which is maybe an issue where \r\n\r\nyou already have some discomfort there or insecurity there\u2014and it is painful to even \r\n\r\ntalk about or think about, because you don't like your own body right now. I think, a lot of \r\n\r\ntimes, what holds a couple back from experiencing sexual intimacy and fulfillment is \r\n\r\nwhen one or both just has these insecurities; they're like: \u201cI don't like the way that I feel,\u201d \r\n\r\n\u201cI don't like the way that I look,\u201d\r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014especially, as we age.\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u201cIt's changing, and I don't like it,\u201d and \u201cI'd rather just shut off that whole part \r\n\r\nof life and my marriage, so that I don't have to think about it,\u201d or \u201cMaybe, if I got in really \r\n\r\ngood shape, then I could enjoy making love again. Someday, off in the future, we'll have \r\n\r\na great sex life\u2014but certainly, not right now\u2014not while I weigh this,\u201d or \u201c\u2026look like this.\u201d\r\n\r\nBut listen: God wants you to have, in marriage, a beautiful, intimate, fulfilling sex life \r\n\r\nright now. And you might think: \u201cBut I don't like the way that I look,\u201d \u201cI don't like the way \r\n\r\nthat I feel.\u201d And it's like: \u201cBut look: you are fearfully and wonderfully made. And you just \r\n\r\nenjoy one another right where you are. Yes, still continue to strive to have health goals \r\n\r\nand all that; but right now, don't put this part of your marriage on hold.\u201d \r\n\r\nSay: \u201cLet's prioritize our physical intimacy\u2014our sex life right now\u2014and \u2018What would that \r\n\r\nlook like right now?\u2019\u2014not after I lose \u2018X\u2019 amount of pounds; or not after we get on a diet \r\n\r\nor something like that, even though you might want to do those things just for your own \r\n\r\noverall wellbeing. But right now: \u2018What would it look like?\u2019 Don't wait; don't hit the \r\n\r\nsnooze button on it.\u201d I believe every couple\u2014and it is going to look different in every \r\n\r\nseason, every context, every age, every set of circumstances\u2014but every couple, who is \r\n\r\nphysically able, can and should be able to connect and have a fulfilling sexual \r\n\r\nrelationship with one another because that's something that God desires. Don't deny \r\n\r\nyourself or your spouse of that.\r\n\r\nAshley: Absolutely. I would say: \u201cDo whatever you can to support each other in your quest toward physical health.\u201d This is something I had to learn the hard way, but don\u2019t expect your spouse to do the exact same regimen that you do. I remember, early in our relationship, I did\u2014after we had, I think, our first or second child\u2014I had a little extra weight on me, and I did Weight Watchers\u00ae. I was expecting Dave to know all the point system, and to do it with me.\r\n\r\nDave: It was as close to divorce as we\u2019ve ever come. [Laughter] \u201cDo you know how many points are in that ice cream?\u201d And I\u2019m like, \u201cI don\u2019t care!\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: I just\u2014I know! He was like, \u201cYou\u2019re killing the moment!\u201d; you know? But I just really was like, \u201cWe\u2019ve got to do this together. Any health-thing I do, you\u2019ve got to do. Anything you do, I have to do.\u201d \r\n\r\nYou know, obviously, we want to enjoy all things in marriage together; but it doesn\u2019t mean you do the exact same thing. You know, you can encourage each other in your health journey by really just making the time and space for your spouse to do that thing: like if they need to go to that class\/that spin class at the gym, and you have children, just make sure you\u2019re home at a certain time, so you can be with the kids while they go to that class; or if they want to go to that Weight Watchers meeting, you know; the same thing.\r\n\r\nI think just making the time and space and arrangements to help them do this. Don\u2019t sabotage them. Like if Dave\u2019s on a huge health kick, and really trying to meet certain goals, I\u2019m not going to go out and buy Little Debbies; because I know I\u2019m just going to sabotage him. I think just being able to encourage each other is how we really can encourage each other to be at our best. I mean, every day, not judging, just encouraging. \r\n\r\nDave Willis: You\u2019re so wise, my love.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes; I would add, for our marriage, it\u2019s been really fun, especially as the kids have left and we\u2019re empty-nesters, to do physical things together.\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes!\r\n\r\nDave: I\u2019m not talking about sex: I\u2019m talking about a walk; I\u2019m talking about a workout. I love it! I probably say it every week: \u201cLet\u2019s go hit a tennis ball,\u201d because she\u2019s a great tennis player. \r\n\r\nAnn: Pickle ball.\r\n\r\nDave: Pickle ball.\r\n\r\nAnn: But I mean, that\u2019s kind of who we are.\r\n\r\nDave: If I\u2019m playing golf,\u2014\r\n\r\nAnn: We\u2019re alike that way.\r\n\r\nDave: Yes. \r\n\r\nAshley: That\u2019s awesome.\r\n\r\nDave: But I did not want to walk with her. \r\n\r\nAnn: \u2014ever!\r\n\r\nDave: And she\u2019s always walking.\r\n\r\nAnn: For years, he\u2019s like, \u201cAre we going to get our heart rates up?\u201d\r\n\r\nDave: Yes.\r\n\r\nAnn: I\u2019m like, \u201cI don\u2019t know, but it would be fun; wouldn\u2019t it?\u201d\r\n\r\nDave: And then, I go walk with her; and she\u2019s the fastest walker I\u2019ve ever\u2014[Laughter]\u2014I can\u2019t even\u2014\r\n\r\nDave Willis: \u201cI can\u2019t breathe.\u201d\r\n\r\nDave: I\u2019m jogging to get beside her. But we talk. Our marriage is enhanced. I just thought, \u201cMan, the physical part\u201d\u2014which I always thought\u2014\u201cI have my physical regimen, and you have yours.\u201d No; \u201cLet\u2019s blend sometimes.\u201d\r\n\r\nAshley: Yes!\r\n\r\nDave: And it\u2019s a beautiful thing. \r\n\r\nDave: We\u2019re Dave and Ann Wilson. And we're not walking now, but we have had a \r\n\r\ngreat time with Dave and Ashley Willis on our program. I'm telling you: \u201cYou're going to \r\n\r\nlove their book.\u201d Here's how you can get it: go to FamilyLifeToday.com; and pick up \r\n\r\nNaked &amp;amp; Healthy: Uncover the Lifestyle Your Mind, Body, Spirit, and Marriage Need. \r\n\r\nAgain, just go to FamilyLifeToday.com to get that book. Or if you want, give us a call at \r\n\r\n800-358-6329; that's 800-F as in Family, L as in Life, and then the word, TODAY.\r\n\r\nAnn: And I don't know if you picked this up, if you listened to us yesterday, but the \r\n\r\nWeekend to Remember Marriage Getaway is half price right now. That sale is ending \r\n\r\nJanuary 20, so now is the time to sign up for a FamilyLife Weekend to Remember.\r\n\r\nDave: Yeah, and it's a fabulous weekend. It will literally transform your marriage; we \r\n\r\ncan pretty much guarantee that. And again, to get a deal\u2014half off\u2014 only goes through \r\n\r\nJanuary 20; so now's the time to do it. So FamilyLifeToday.com is where you can sign \r\n\r\nup. Hope to see you there!\r\n\r\nAnn: I'm not sure if you follow us on social media, but you should. Head over to \r\n\r\nInstagram at FamilyLife Insta, or you can find us on Facebook FamilyLife for more \r\n\r\nencouragement. That\u2019s what we want to do\u2014we love you guys\u2014and we want to keep \r\n\r\nencouraging you.\r\n\r\nDave: We're Dave and Ann Wilson, and we will see you back next time for another \r\n\r\nedition of FamilyLife Today.\r\n\r\nFamilyLife Today is a donor-supported production of FamilyLife\u00ae, a Cru\u00ae Ministry. \r\n\r\nHelping you pursue the relationships that matter most.\r\n\r\nIf you\u2019ve benefited from the FamilyLife Today transcripts, would you consider donating today to help defray the costs of producing them and making them available online?  \r\n\r\nCopyright \u00a9 2025 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\r\n\r\nwww.FamilyLife.com                                 \r\n\r\n\n","theme_header_position":"","post_header_is_sticky":"","is_header_overlay":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast\/311744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/podcast"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/47000"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=311744"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/280865"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=311744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=311744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=311744"},{"taxonomy":"podcast_series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/podcast_series?post=311744"},{"taxonomy":"cwp_profile","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/cwp_profile?post=311744"},{"taxonomy":"series","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/series?post=311744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}