I Thought This Would Make Me Happy: How to Fight Less, Forgive Faster, and Cultivate Joy in Your Marriage

(Paperback)

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What happened to us

Why is there no joy, no friendship in our marriage

Why don't we feel like a team anymore

If you've ever felt this way about your marriage, you're not alone. Marriage is hard. Every couple comes to a place of disappointment and distance at one point or another. The good news is that your relationship can get better. If you're both willing to work at it, it can work out.

Teacher, author, and creator of "Living the Sweet Wife" Chelsea Damon has coached thousands of couples through the hardest seasons of their marriage. In I Thought This Would Make Me Happy, she'll help you take your first steps to a renewed and life-giving marriage. You'll gain the tools you need to:

• Identify the problemsAnger, bitterness, and resentment arise in all marriages. You'll learn how to assess what the problems are and step away from destructive patterns.
• Restore harmonyReflection sections and journal exercises are specially designed to help you and your spouse forgive each other and communicate more deeply.
• Cultivate the good qualitiesEach chapter is designed to help you and your spouse build the characteristics that make a marriage reflect Christ and grow stronger.

With stories, practical tips, and biblical truths, I Thought This Would Make Me Happy will show you a way forward. Your relationship with your spouse may be in a difficult season...but it can get better.

A marriage full of joy, grace, and unity is possible

Reviews

'I Thought This Would Make Me Happy is like finding a kaleidoscope of marriage advice. With each turn of the page, I see renewed beauty in God's purpose for it. Chelsea Damon breaks down lofty (and often distorted) concepts about marriage and teaches us something new. This book will change you and your relationship if you implement the actionable steps inside.' * Ciara Laine Myers, author, Glasses Off: Seeing God When Your Vision Is Gone *
'None of us set out to be unhappily married. Chelsea Damon cuts to the heart of our marital issues, which, in truth, are the issues that plague every human heart: selfishness, pride, and anger. Chelsea points to a better way of living and loving--God's way. This book is the soul surgery we all need--both in marriage and in life!' * Joanna Weaver, bestselling author, Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World and Embracing Trust *
'Whether your wedding was last century or last week, marriage is hard. Blending the personalities, habits, and hang-ups of two distinct people can often be an invitation to conflict and even chaos. Thankfully, Chelsea Damon has crafted a marriage manual that will empower you to weave understanding, forgiveness, and intimacy into your relationship with your spouse. The practical advice and biblical guidance in this book will encourage effective communication and help you cultivate true joy as you build a marriage that reflects the gospel to a watching world.' * Karen Ehman, New York Times bestselling author, Keep Showing Up: How to Stay Crazy in Love When Your Love Drives You Crazy *
'With candid illustrations, biblical insights, and practical takeaways and action steps in every chapter, I Thought This Would Make Me Happy is the positive change agent every relationship needs. Ditch selfish expectations, embrace genuine joy, and settle for more in your marriage!' * Jodie Berndt, bestselling author, Praying the Scriptures for Your Marriage *

Author Bio

Chelsea Damon is the author of Together with Christ: A Dating Couples Devotional: 52 Devotions and Bible Studies to Nurture Your Relationship. She is the author of chelseadamon.com, a website where moms and wives are encouraged in healthy, Christ-centered lives and relationships. Chelsea and her husband, Josh, met while attending college, where they grew in their faith and dated for three years. They were married on the windy coast of Washington in 2013. Throughout their dating and marriage relationship and into parenthood, theyve been learning what it means to live loving God and loving others in a self-love world. Today, Chelsea and Josh have three biological children, are foster parents, and spend their time looking for new places to hike and explore beautiful South Carolina.