Why is it that marriage can be so painful and what answers does the Bible provide? Family Forum Japan founder and family expert Tim Cole offers an in-depth understanding of God's intentions for marriage and how to find hope, courage, and wisdom to survive and thrive in a difficult marriage. Tim knows from personal experience that there are few easy answers. But for those determined to keep their marriages intact, the Bible provides penetrating insights, necessary choices, and motivational keys to make this possible. Into this core of Biblical teaching, Tim has inserted sound principles of marriage counseling and essential research on gender differences, communication, and family dynamics.

The book's format of 31 lessons makes it suitable for couples to read together, for personal devotions, or to use as a small group study guide.

In these lessons, Tim identifies critical areas of marital struggle including expectations, leadership, sexuality, gender roles and differences, conflict resolution, communication, forgiveness, combativeness, perception distortions, unresponsiveness, neglect, and many more. Examples of biblical characters bring the lessons to life, and practical action steps help readers move toward change. If you are seeking a biblically truthful, direct, and balanced approach to the realities of marriage, this book is for you.