In today's episode, we're talking about something a little unexpected coming from two marriage counselors: why you shouldn't always take our advice, or anyone else's, without checking with the Lord first.

We live in a world overflowing with sermons, reels, podcasts, coaching, challenges, and self-help. So much of it is helpful… but not all of it is helpful for you, and not all of it is helpful right now.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, breathe, and learn how to discern the difference between good advice and God's direction for your particular season.

⭐ Inside the Episode

Jamie's Story: When "Do It Afraid" Went Too Far

Jamie shares a pivotal moment in her journey with anxiety and how a sermon quote ("Do it afraid") became her life mantra for a season… until it began overworking her nervous system and pushing her into hypervigilance.

It wasn't bad advice; it was just no longer the right advice.
That's when God spoke a new word:
"My yoke is easy, and My burden is light."

Only the Lord knows what we truly need and exactly when we need it.

⭐ What Happens When We Treat Advice Like Scripture

We unpack why great advice can become harmful when we elevate it above God's timing:

⭐ Examples of "Good" Marriage Advice That Can Be Bad in the Wrong Season

We explore six common marriage principles that are wonderful but not universally timed:

⭐ What Scripture Says About Being Led by God

We walk through passages that remind us God leads personally and seasonally:

⭐ A Nervous System Perspective

Not every push is holy.
Not every challenge is healthy.
Sometimes "growth" advice puts your body into survival mode.

⭐ The SIFT Method: How to Discern What's Actually for You

A simple 4-step framework to help couples filter advice through prayer and peace:

⭐ Marriage Application: What This Means for Couples

Practical questions to ask one another.

⭐ Final Encouragement

Not all good advice is God's advice for you —
but God always has the right word for the right time.

✨ Stay Connected + Encouraged Every Week

If this episode encouraged you, we'd love to keep walking with you.
Sign up for our weekly marriage newsletter for devotionals, tools, and Christ-centered encouragement straight to your inbox:

👉 expeditionmarriage.org/newsletter

And don't forget to subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs it. ❤️

Every marriage walks through dry seasons, times when connection feels absent, emotions run low, and apathy sets in. But a dry season doesn't mean your marriage is dying; it often means God is doing deep, unseen work beneath the surface.

In this episode, we're digging into how to recognize, remain in, and receive from the wilderness seasons of marriage, and how to come out stronger on the other side. Using the story of Jesus' 40 days in the desert and a five-step framework, we'll help you find perspective, peace, and purpose in the desert places.

If your marriage feels weary or disconnected, this episode will remind you that God never wastes the wilderness—and new life can always come from dry ground.

🎧 Listen now and start walking toward renewal—together.

💧 In This Episode, You'll Learn:

• What a "dry season" in marriage really is, and why it's normal
• How to tell when you're in one (and what not to do about it!)
• The five steps to navigate the wilderness season well:
• What Jesus' own time in the wilderness can teach us about endurance and spiritual growth
• How God often uses silence, struggle, and stillness to deepen love and faith

🕊️ Key Scriptures Mentioned:

• Matthew 4:1–11 — Jesus led by the Spirit into the wilderness
• Luke 4:14 — Jesus returns "in the power of the Spirit"
• James 1:2–4 — Growth through testing produces perseverance
• Psalm 77:11–12 — "I will remember the deeds of the Lord…"

❤️ Takeaway Truth:

"Dry seasons don't mean dead seasons.
They're often where God prepares you for the next good thing He's about to do."

📣 Resources & Next Steps:

• 💾 Download the free Five Steps to Navigate a Dry Season in Marriage Worksheet: https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-164-dry-seasons-in-marriage-how-to-navigate-the-wilderness-together
• 🎧 Check us out on YouTube for video episodes on faith-filled marriage growth: https://www.youtube.com/@expeditionmarriage/featured
• 💌 Join our weekly marriage encouragement emails for practical tips and biblical truth at ExpeditionMarriage.org/subscribe

💬 Connect With Us:

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Visit: ExpeditionMarriage.org

When life gets heavy, stress often shows up in our marriages—not just in words, but in subtle cues, tones, and behaviors. In this episode, Chris and Jamie share why becoming a "PhD of your spouse" is one of the most loving and practical things you can do for your marriage.

💡 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why stress "tells" matter and how noticing them can prevent unnecessary conflict and deepen empathy (Philippians 2:4).
• Common stress cues to look for—like withdrawal, red face, clenched jaw, irritability, avoidance, hypervigilance, or the "checked-out" mode on the couch.
• How to respond with love instead of defensiveness by pausing, checking in gently, and offering support without assumptions (Hebrews 12:14; Romans 12:18).
• What it means to become a "PhD of your spouse"—studying their patterns, stress responses, and emotional needs so you can build unity instead of division.
• Practical steps to breathe life into your marriage by identifying stress cues, supporting one another, and shifting from "me vs. you" to "we."

✨ Key Quotes from the Episode

• "Marriage thrives when we study one another."
• "Noticing your spouse's stress cues isn't about fixing them—it's about loving them well."

📖 Scriptures to Reflect On

• Philippians 2:4 — "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
• Proverbs 10:19 — "When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent."
• Hebrews 12:14 — "Strive for peace with everyone."
• Romans 12:18 — "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

🛠️ Free Resource

Download our PhD of Your Spouse Stress Cues Worksheet to help you and your spouse talk through your unique stress patterns and how you can support one another.

👉 https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-163-becoming-a-phd-of-your-spouse-how-to-recognize-stress-cues-and-respond-with-love

🎯 Call to Action

• Leave us a review (like Ilive4him24 did!)—your reviews help more couples find the hope and tools they need.
• Download your free worksheet and start the conversation this week.
• Check out Episode 134 with Dr Christine Baker on Nervous System Regulation in Marriage https://expeditionmarriage.org/podcast/ep-130-nervous-system-regulation-in-marriage-with-dr-christine-baker/