Kate Motaung

The landscape of relationships in America has shifted considerably in the last few decades. While Americans are staying single for longer, around half of Americans aged eighteen and older are married. According to a Pew Research Center poll from 2013, the most important reason why people in the US are getting married is love. Around nine in ten Americans cited love as the biggest reason to get married, and this outstripped making a lifelong commitment (81%), companionship (76%), having

We were designed to flourish best in relationships with others. That’s one part of what it means when we say that human beings are social creatures. Being in relationships with other people can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling, and that makes sense given that the God who created us is relational. However, we must acknowledge another reality about relationships – they can also be deep wells of pain. To be in meaningful relationships with others is to be vulnerable.

Every day sees millions of emails, texts, voice messages, phone calls, in-person and virtual meetings crisscrossing and happening across the globe. Human beings spend a lot of time communicating, whether verbally, through sign language, or other non-verbal means. In a relationship like a marriage, many words are exchanged between the couple – some happy, others angry, others functional, and still others intended to convey their deepest affections and desires. After a while, each couple gets into the groove of

Very few people alive today can argue that this year has been one of the most challenging around the world in history. Yet, it has pushed us to do one thing – let go of control. But how do you relinquish the urgency you feel to control a situation? How do you stuff the limitless God and His authority and will into a box? Answer: you can’t. However, you can learn to strengthen your faith and give the reins

The term “codependency” has become somewhat of a buzzword, with books on the topic lining the shelves of most bookstore psychology sections. It’s also defined in so many ways that it can be confusing to understand what exactly it means and how codependency symptoms may appear when it is present in a relationship. By general definition, codependency is an adaptive coping mechanism used compulsively by those trying to find personal worth and value by meeting the perceived needs of

The world will never forget the Covid-19 pandemic. Its effects will be felt for generations to come and may change the world forever. However, another lesser-known epidemic faces American society: the epidemic of loneliness. While no one can ignore the restrictions and repercussions of Covid-19, few people are acknowledging the toll that loneliness is taking on the country. And there is a serious toll. As the world readjusts and normalizes in the wake of Covid-19, the loneliness epidemic must

Grayson is a lively 7-year-old in the first grade, whose parents are concerned about whether he is “normal.” They love his excitable spirit. Yet, when they try to do even simple things as a family, they have grown increasingly frustrated with what other parents, even friends, have labeled “over-the-top” behavior. A simple trip to the grocery store seems to send Grayson spinning. His mom never knows if he’s going to be singing at the top of his lungs or

Are you feeling overwhelmed in your work, relationships, responsibilities, or something else? The feeling of being overwhelmed is common in our fast-paced culture. But God is ready to help you when you feel overwhelmed. Bible Verses to Help When You Feel Overwhelmed It’s not enough just to cut things out of your schedule. You need help to manage your thoughts and emotions when you feel overwhelmed. A caring Christian counselor can help you prioritize your schedule, manage your emotions,

When we feel like we’re under threat, our bodies respond by activating our fight-or-flight response. Oxygen is diverted from the organs and is directed towards our muscles; our hearts beat faster to get that oxygenated blood to those muscles faster, and our breathing also changes. All these physiological responses allow our body to either stand and fight the threat we’re facing, or to flee from it. While our fight-or-flight response helps us as it helped our ancestors to face

“Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.” – www.helpguide.org/articles/stress In American culture, hard work, hustle, and financial gain are such high values that burnout is all too common. People who struggle

If you find yourself reading this article, chances are that you or someone you love has been expressing symptoms of depression or mania. Like a pendulum, those who suffer from manic depression experience dramatic mood swings between incredible highs and devastating lows. More appropriately referred to as bipolar disorder, this can be an incredibly difficult and stunting emotional experience that can hinder one’s emotional progress. For many, manic depression feels like being stuck on a boat with no rudder and

Effective communication is the lifeblood of a relationship. From making sure they know what’s on one another’s weekly schedule, to staying connected emotionally and knowing one another’s needs, being able to communicate well helps a couple to maintain, deepen and strengthen their relationship. As we’ll find a bit later, there’s a difference between talking and communicating, and that difference is one reason why difficulties sometimes pop up within relationships. In this article we'll look at some practical couples therapy