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      Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage, Part 1

      Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage, Part 1

      July 27, 2026
      On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson sits down with best-selling author Lee Strobel and his wife, Leslie, to share their honest story of marriage tested by faith.
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      Building Intimacy with God

      July 24, 2026

      Homosexuality and the 21st Century Church, Part 2

      July 23, 2026

      Homosexuality and the 21st Century Church, Part 1

      July 22, 2026
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      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      July 27, 2026
      When a house is built, two things need to be checked carefully: the foundation must be solid, and the walls must be straight. If the ground settles unevenly, small cracks will begin to show. Over time, doors will stop closing properly, and the floors will begin to slope. The house may still stand, but the strain runs through every room. In much the same way, marriage was designed to rest on shared faith in Christ and to rise in communion with Him. When a husband doesn’t share his wife’s Christian faith, that spiritual ground is uneven, and pressure begins to grow. If you’re married to an unbelieving man, you may feel as though you are carrying the spiritual weight of the home by yourself. You may pray and attend church on your own and wonder what kind of faith your children will choose one day. Yet research offers genuine hope. A 2016 Pew Research Center study of mixed-religion households found that nearly half of children raised in interfaith families later identified with their mother’s religion. Barna’s 2019 research reported that practicing Christian teens most often pointed to their moms as the primary source of spiritual guidance. These findings do not diminish a father’s role, but they remind us that a mother’s faith leaves a lasting imprint. Statistics, however, do not remove the daily challenge of loving a man who does not share your deepest spiritual convictions. In his book, Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide, Dr. James Dobson offered wise counsel: “My advice is that you attempt to show him, without nagging or becoming angry, how you are different from him and what your unique needs are. Work to change that which can be improved in your relationship, explain that which can be understood, resolve that which can be settled, and negotiate that which is open to compromise.” He adds, “Create the best marriage possible from the raw materials brought by two imperfect human beings with two distinctly unique personalities.” Dr. Dobson also urges acceptance where present change is not possible: “For all the rough edges that can never be smoothed and the faults that can never be eradicated, try to develop the best possible outlook and determine to accept reality exactly as it is. The first principle of mental health is to accept that which cannot be changed.” He reminds wives that discouragement is a choice: “You could easily descend into depression over the circumstances in your life. But you can also choose to hang tough and be contented in spite of them. The operative word is choose.” He goes on to say that a strong marriage “is not one where perfection reigns,” but one where a healthy outlook covers many “unresolvables.” These wise words echo Scripture, which speaks directly to your situation. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes that if an unbelieving husband is willing to stay, the wife should remain, because “God has called us to peace.” He explains that the unbelieving husband is “sanctified” through his wife. This does not guarantee salvation, but it highlights influence. The presence of living out the Christian faith shapes a home in quiet ways. Your prayers, example, and your consistency matter more than you can see. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 3, urging wives whose husbands “do not obey the word” to live in such a way that they “may be won without a word.” Respect, purity, and steady character often speak more clearly than repeated arguments and debates. At the same time, remembering that you stand by grace keeps pride from taking root. You are not more worthy than your mate; you are simply a recipient of God’s mercy. Loneliness may feel overwhelming at times. You may wish your husband would lead the family in prayer or share your hunger for Scripture. In those moments, remember that Christ Himself is your closest companion. He sustains you when spiritual conversation at home feels thin, and He carries the weight you were never meant to bear. You cannot manufacture belief in another person’s heart. Salvation belongs to the Lord, not you. Your call is faithfulness, especially in prayer. Consistent communion with our Heavenly Father aligns your heart with His purposes. It eases the feelings of isolation, protects you from carrying burdens that belong to Him, and keeps your spirit tender rather than resentful. Even when nothing seems to shift outwardly, trust that the Spirit is at work as you constantly lift your husband before the Lord. On her knees, my mother was a warrior for her husband and children. For nine years, she attended church without my father, prayed for him, and lived her faith with patience. She did not pressure or threaten him. In time, after a conversation with our pastor, my dad began to listen. The Christian example he had long observed at home took root, and he eventually trusted Jesus as his Savior. The imbalance that once marked my parents’ marriage gave way to shared faith and worship. Not every story unfolds that way. Some wives pray for decades without seeing visible change. It would be unkind to promise that perseverance always leads to a husband’s conversion. Yet you should never underestimate how powerfully God’s grace can impact both your husband and children, just as the Scriptures and research suggest. Influence formed by humility, prayer, and perseverance can have a powerful effect generationally. Marriage is meant to involve shared devotion, so when beliefs are divided on a spiritual level, difficulty is inevitable. Even so, Christ remains the cornerstone. He sees what you cannot and works in ways you can’t measure. So, make every effort to improve what can be improved. Speak with kindness and respect, and accept that neither you nor your husband is flawless. Refuse despair when things don’t go as you expect. Always choose hope, and let it come alive by keeping prayer woven into your daily walk—quietly, faithfully, persistently. Lift your husband before the Lord not as a project to fix, but as a soul deeply loved by God. Entrust his doubts, questions, and resistance to the One who specializes in drawing people to Himself. Above all, draw near to the Lord. Let His peace steady your heart when the “walls” feel out of alignment. In ways you may not yet be aware, He is able to strengthen that which is weak and bring alignment to your marriage, with Christ as the cornerstone.     Ruth Graham, “Moms Have Way More Influence Over Their Children’s Religious Lives Than Dads,” Slate, Oct 26, 2016. Barna Group, “The Powerful Influence of Moms in Christian Households,” 5/7/2019. https://www.barna.com/research/moms-christians-households/ Accessed 10/26/2022. Barna Group, “How Faith Heritage Relates to Faith Practice,” 7/9/2019. https://www.barna.com/research/faith-heritage-faith-practice/Accessed 10/26/2022.

      Recent Blogs

      How Men Can Grow in Intimacy With God

      July 24, 2026

      Why Marriage Isn't a 50-50 Relationship

      July 22, 2026

      How to Manage a Temper Tantrum with Confidence

      July 21, 2026
      Read All Blogs
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  • Broadcasts

      Latest Broadcast

      Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage, Part 1

      Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage, Part 1

      July 27, 2026
      On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson sits down with best-selling author Lee Strobel and his wife, Leslie, to share their honest story of marriage tested by faith.
      Station Finder

      Recent Broadcasts

      Building Intimacy with God

      July 24, 2026

      Homosexuality and the 21st Century Church, Part 2

      July 23, 2026

      Homosexuality and the 21st Century Church, Part 1

      July 22, 2026
      All Broadcasts
  • Blogs

      Latest Blog

      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      Encouragement for the Wife of an Unbeliever

      July 27, 2026
      When a house is built, two things need to be checked carefully: the foundation must be solid, and the walls must be straight. If the ground settles unevenly, small cracks will begin to show. Over time, doors will stop closing properly, and the floors will begin to slope. The house may still stand, but the strain runs through every room. In much the same way, marriage was designed to rest on shared faith in Christ and to rise in communion with Him. When a husband doesn’t share his wife’s Christian faith, that spiritual ground is uneven, and pressure begins to grow. If you’re married to an unbelieving man, you may feel as though you are carrying the spiritual weight of the home by yourself. You may pray and attend church on your own and wonder what kind of faith your children will choose one day. Yet research offers genuine hope. A 2016 Pew Research Center study of mixed-religion households found that nearly half of children raised in interfaith families later identified with their mother’s religion. Barna’s 2019 research reported that practicing Christian teens most often pointed to their moms as the primary source of spiritual guidance. These findings do not diminish a father’s role, but they remind us that a mother’s faith leaves a lasting imprint. Statistics, however, do not remove the daily challenge of loving a man who does not share your deepest spiritual convictions. In his book, Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide, Dr. James Dobson offered wise counsel: “My advice is that you attempt to show him, without nagging or becoming angry, how you are different from him and what your unique needs are. Work to change that which can be improved in your relationship, explain that which can be understood, resolve that which can be settled, and negotiate that which is open to compromise.” He adds, “Create the best marriage possible from the raw materials brought by two imperfect human beings with two distinctly unique personalities.” Dr. Dobson also urges acceptance where present change is not possible: “For all the rough edges that can never be smoothed and the faults that can never be eradicated, try to develop the best possible outlook and determine to accept reality exactly as it is. The first principle of mental health is to accept that which cannot be changed.” He reminds wives that discouragement is a choice: “You could easily descend into depression over the circumstances in your life. But you can also choose to hang tough and be contented in spite of them. The operative word is choose.” He goes on to say that a strong marriage “is not one where perfection reigns,” but one where a healthy outlook covers many “unresolvables.” These wise words echo Scripture, which speaks directly to your situation. In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul writes that if an unbelieving husband is willing to stay, the wife should remain, because “God has called us to peace.” He explains that the unbelieving husband is “sanctified” through his wife. This does not guarantee salvation, but it highlights influence. The presence of living out the Christian faith shapes a home in quiet ways. Your prayers, example, and your consistency matter more than you can see. Peter echoes this in 1 Peter 3, urging wives whose husbands “do not obey the word” to live in such a way that they “may be won without a word.” Respect, purity, and steady character often speak more clearly than repeated arguments and debates. At the same time, remembering that you stand by grace keeps pride from taking root. You are not more worthy than your mate; you are simply a recipient of God’s mercy. Loneliness may feel overwhelming at times. You may wish your husband would lead the family in prayer or share your hunger for Scripture. In those moments, remember that Christ Himself is your closest companion. He sustains you when spiritual conversation at home feels thin, and He carries the weight you were never meant to bear. You cannot manufacture belief in another person’s heart. Salvation belongs to the Lord, not you. Your call is faithfulness, especially in prayer. Consistent communion with our Heavenly Father aligns your heart with His purposes. It eases the feelings of isolation, protects you from carrying burdens that belong to Him, and keeps your spirit tender rather than resentful. Even when nothing seems to shift outwardly, trust that the Spirit is at work as you constantly lift your husband before the Lord. On her knees, my mother was a warrior for her husband and children. For nine years, she attended church without my father, prayed for him, and lived her faith with patience. She did not pressure or threaten him. In time, after a conversation with our pastor, my dad began to listen. The Christian example he had long observed at home took root, and he eventually trusted Jesus as his Savior. The imbalance that once marked my parents’ marriage gave way to shared faith and worship. Not every story unfolds that way. Some wives pray for decades without seeing visible change. It would be unkind to promise that perseverance always leads to a husband’s conversion. Yet you should never underestimate how powerfully God’s grace can impact both your husband and children, just as the Scriptures and research suggest. Influence formed by humility, prayer, and perseverance can have a powerful effect generationally. Marriage is meant to involve shared devotion, so when beliefs are divided on a spiritual level, difficulty is inevitable. Even so, Christ remains the cornerstone. He sees what you cannot and works in ways you can’t measure. So, make every effort to improve what can be improved. Speak with kindness and respect, and accept that neither you nor your husband is flawless. Refuse despair when things don’t go as you expect. Always choose hope, and let it come alive by keeping prayer woven into your daily walk—quietly, faithfully, persistently. Lift your husband before the Lord not as a project to fix, but as a soul deeply loved by God. Entrust his doubts, questions, and resistance to the One who specializes in drawing people to Himself. Above all, draw near to the Lord. Let His peace steady your heart when the “walls” feel out of alignment. In ways you may not yet be aware, He is able to strengthen that which is weak and bring alignment to your marriage, with Christ as the cornerstone.     Ruth Graham, “Moms Have Way More Influence Over Their Children’s Religious Lives Than Dads,” Slate, Oct 26, 2016. Barna Group, “The Powerful Influence of Moms in Christian Households,” 5/7/2019. https://www.barna.com/research/moms-christians-households/ Accessed 10/26/2022. Barna Group, “How Faith Heritage Relates to Faith Practice,” 7/9/2019. https://www.barna.com/research/faith-heritage-faith-practice/Accessed 10/26/2022.

      Recent Blogs

      How Men Can Grow in Intimacy With God

      July 24, 2026

      Why Marriage Isn't a 50-50 Relationship

      July 22, 2026

      How to Manage a Temper Tantrum with Confidence

      July 21, 2026
      Read All Blogs
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Day: July 4, 2025

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Falling in Love with America Again, Part 2

Dr. James Dobson continues his conversation with the Hon. Jim DeMint to discuss his book, Falling in Love with America Again.

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  • The Terrible Twos
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