ANCHOR + WAVES

A PODCAST FOR WOMEN

GUARDING YOUR MARRIAGE FROM SUDDEN CATASTROPHE AND THE SLOW DRIFT

Anchor + Waves Ep. 117

Hosted by Stacy Ludwig w/ special guest Coletta Smith

IN THIS EPISODE

  • Plan for the Catastrophe | 4:45
  • Catastrophes happen for two reasons | 7:43
  • Boundaries are the best things for catastrophes we can control | 10:25
  • Use the Railroad ties for marriage to prevent the catastrophes out of our control and the slow drift | 31:50
  • What do you do if you are already derailing | 53:03
  • Advice for new couples | 1:02:11
  • I’m Diggin’ It w/ Kelly McSparran | 1:05:05
  • Closing + Prayer | 1:11:46

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | Plan for the catastrophes

Build muscle memory with intentionality and time. Make a lot of deposits with each intentional thing we do so that when you are in a catastrophe you are not drawing on an empty account. | Listen in at 4:45

2 | There are two types of catastrophes. One is a result of my or my spouse’s choices and then there are catastrophes we cannot control
There are two main boundaries to guard your marriage: | Listen in at 7:43
  1. Not spending time with someone of the opposite sex alone. The more alone time we spend with someone is directly proportional to the level of intimacy.
  2. If either of you ever feels an attraction to someone else the first person you share that with is each other. Your spouse is the one that should be able to hold you most accountable, and talking to each other about it makes what was growing in secret lose its power.
3 | The railroad ties to marriage is the tool you can use to help with catastrophes you can’t control as well as preventing the slow drift. These need to be laid intentionally and regularly, and there are five areas.
  • Intellectual, how are we growing together in our thinking?
  • Emotionally, how is your heart? How are you doing with friendships or with different seasons of life?
  • Socially, do we have friends we hang out with as a couple?
  • Spiritually, how are we growing together toward Jesus?
  • Physically, this so much more than sex, and it is sometimes a spring-board for emotional connection.

Listen in at 31:50

4 | If you feel like you are already derailing
  • Have honest conversations no matter how uncomfortable.
  • May need to invite an outside perspective, like a professional or friends.
  • There is a two page worksheet below for date nights called Strengthening Your Marriage Railroad Tracks.”

DOWNLOAD THE PDF
Listen in at 53:05

5 | For new couples, find another couple that is older than you that you would like to learn from, and start building that relationship

HOLY POST PODCAST
Listen in at 1:02:11

SHOW NOTES

Welcome back to another exciting episode here on Anchor + Waves! We love bringing you stories, ideas, and tools to help you through the tough and joyful moments in your life. And pressing on our hearts has been the topic of “marriage” over this last year. So what do we do if we struggle in our marriage? How do we honor God as things seem tough? Today we have Coletta Smith back on to talk about guarding your marriage from sudden catastrophe and the slow drift. 

Also, stick around for another “I’m Diggin’ It” with Kelly McSparran as she and Stacy go through some really cool aspects of life they’re enjoying.

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