Are the problems in your marriage tearing you and your spouse apart? Is there anything that can be done to turn things around when you feel at the end of your rope? Yes!

David and Joseph. Two prominent Bible characters. Both were godly men who faced sexual temptation. One yielded and paid a dear price for it. The other ran from temptation and was rewarded by God, even though he was falsely accused of sexual assault by the spurned temptress. We are talking, of course, about King David’s affair with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 11) and Joseph’s temptation at the hands of Potiphar’s wife (see Genesis 39).

A man’s heart is a precious and private thing. A man is less likely than a woman to bare his soul or communicate every thought. His heart is often locked up and protected.

Q: We have a Christian marriage—so why is it so painful? Shouldn’t being believers shield us from the problems we’re having?

Over the past few months, we’ve been digging into the sex needs of husbands and wives – and how you can meet the needs of your spouse. We’ve covered the top needs of both men and women, and how a husband can meet his wife’s sex needs. This month, we focus on how a wife can meet her husband’s needs.

Don’t look now, but there is someone who is dead set against you and your spouse enjoying a happy, fulfilling marriage. No, we’re not talking about your in-laws or an old, jealous boyfriend or girlfriend—and we certainly hope these people are not against you. We’re talking about someone very hateful, powerful, and devious. We’re talking about God’s archenemy and the enemy of your soul: Satan.

Q: I’m a Christian. Why is it so important for me to marry a Christian?

Debt can cause all kinds of stress in a marriage. Have you found yourself feeling hopeless over debt? We’ve heard from many couples who say credit cards have led them down the path to debt.

Q: My spouse is on the road a lot, and I worry that he/she may be tempted to be unfaithful while away. What can we do to make sure this never happens?

Q: My own parents keep trying to sabotage my relationship with my spouse. They always have snide remarks or something that they think isn’t being done right. What can I do?

Q: Well, the honeymoon is over and I’ve discovered that my spouse is not perfect. Now what?

This month, we’ll cover a woman’s #4 sex need: Spiritual intimacy. What does spiritual intimacy have to do with your sex life? Well, it’s something you do outside the bedroom and something you do for and with your spouse. The result when it’s fulfilled? An enhanced sex life.

Q: I really blew it. How can I regain the trust of my spouse?

Q: I know I’m supposed to support my husband, but sometimes he says/does things I just don’t agree with. How can I voice my objections without starting a huge fight or embarrassing him in front of his friends?

Q: I just had a baby and I’m not interested in sex. Is that normal?

Have you been busy at work? Overwhelmed with your schedule? Have you started to notice you’re wife and kids may not be getting your best? If you have started to feel as though you may be neglecting them – you can get things back to normal!

Q: I’m recently widowed and have young children. Is it important that I remarry so that the kids have that male/female influence at home?

We’ve discussed before a husband’s need for his wife to respond. We explained that her resistance to his sexual advances affects his confidence and view of himself. If a wife’s responsiveness strengthens her husband’s self-esteem, think about what her initiating sex will say to him. In our survey, nearly 61 percent of men ranked a wife’s initiation as a top sexual need.

Jealousy comes in different levels. Legitimate jealousy is a means to guard your territory. This comes from a sincere care and commitment to a relationship. Occasional jealousy includes occasional suspicions, like being uncomfortable when your spouse is with certain friends of the opposite sex. Chronic jealousy includes lies, threats, self-pity, and feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, and insecurity.

Q: My spouse is being transferred and we have to move, but I don’t want to leave my job and friends. What can I do?