What separates happy marriages from miserable ones?
Surprisingly, it’s not healthy communication. It’s not conflict resolution skills. It’s actually the size of the marriage’s joy gap.
Joy Gap /joi gap/ (n.) – 1. The length of time between moments of shared joy
When the joy gap gets bigger, problems are more likely to overwhelm you, resentment creeps in, and you start to feel distant and alone in your marriage. When the joy gap is smaller, you regularly feel connected and happy, problems feel manageable, and your marriage becomes a reliable source of joy. But how do you ensure that you’re experiencing joy regularly?
Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey have studied relationships (and neuroscience) and discovered four habits that keep joy regular and problems small. Some couples do them naturally, but anyone can learn. That’s why each chapter includes 15-minute exercises that boost joy and re-train your brain to make joy your default setting. You’ll learn new skills including how to:
Find out what your marriage looks like after a little work and a whole lot of joy.
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Free Resources…
This devotional will introduce couples to 4 habits that will help bring sustained joy back into your marriage. This will provide couples with valuable resources to practice all different forms of communication and improve overall marriage health. Explore how just 15 minutes a day will help you and your spouse remain in love.
A 6-day devotional on the YouVersion app.
In this conversation, Megan and Chris explore the significance of joy in relationships, particularly in marriages. We discuss the four habits that can foster joy-filled marriages, emphasizing the importance of play, listening for emotions, appreciation, and nurturing a rhythm of connection. The discussion also delves into the neuroscience behind joy and how it can transform relationships, providing practical exercises for couples to implement in their daily lives. OR WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Jen and Chris Coursey define joy as “relational glad-to-be-togetherness.” Joy is the best fuel for the brain, and the joyous feeling that a couple experiences on their honeymoon can and must be recaptured and recreated often for relational well-being. Join us for this special Up Close and Personal to learn more about relational joy building skills.
You’ve been married for a number of years, and you’re starting to feel distant from your spouse. You are experiencing a joy-gap! On this one-day Focus on the Family broadcast, Dr. Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey explain the brain science behind joy and offer easy, practical ways you can increase joy in your marriage by playing together, listening for emotion, appreciating your spouse daily, and nurturing a rhythm of rest. You’ll be inspired to pursue joy with your spouse!
The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled Marriages book has been featured by Cosmopolitan magazine as the #2 must read book for married couples out of their top 15 picks! We are excited to see the message of Joy getting out there and the world is starting to recognize its importance.
Dr. Marcus Warner and Reverend Chris Coursey encourage couples to cultivate joy in their marriage. They encourage couples to sow seeds of joy for a more satisfying marriage.
Healthy relationships produce joy, and joy keeps the relationship healthy. Today, our two guests will incorporate brain science and habit theory to teach you relational skills that will boost your joy and enjoyment of physical and emotional intimacy in your marriage. Learn the habits of playing, listening, appreciating and nurturing your marriage to make it joy-filled!
What separates happy marriages from miserable ones? Surprisingly, it’s not healthy communication or conflict resolution. It’s the size of the joy gap. Dr. Marcus Warner and Chris Coursey show how 15 minutes a day can transform your marriage. If it feels like years since you’ve really enjoyed your spouse’s company, don’t miss Chris Fabry Live.
Dr. Marcus Warner and Reverend Chris Coursey reveal four habits to make your marriage happier.
