Change My Relationship

Most of us live with a significant amount of unfinished relationship business. We get busy. We procrastinate when something feels stressful. We have priorities that don't reflect our values. The problem is that we pay a price for not dealing with important issues that should be addressed. The worst possibility is that something happens to the person, and the opportunity to say or do something you...

If you have difficult people in your life, you want them to change. Watch this video to find out what you can do to maximize that possibility.   Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that pro...

People who have learned helplessness display specific characteristics. To overcome it, there are specific things you need to do. Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical s...

Difficult relationships are complicated because the dynamics are confusing and frustrating. While there are various causes of the dysfunction, there are common things that you should do and not do. Watch this video on the dos and don'ts for people in difficult relationships so you won't make your life even harder.   Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free fr...

Do you wonder when it is time to move closer to a relationship problem and when to avoid it? Many people avoid dealing with issues for numerous reasons. Others confront everything aggressively. Neither of those approaches is healthy or good. When a problem is long-standing, and both people are avoiding bringing it up, should you? There is often anxiety over issues that are lingering, and it affect...

Do you have prickly people in your life? If you do, then you need some help in dealing with them so they don't ruin your life. Watch this video to get the help you need. Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, bo...

There are many myths and misunderstandings surrounding forgiveness.  One of those involves scriptural truths and the consequences of sin. God's forgiveness wipes away our trespasses and the judgment we deserve. The conclusion might be that when we forgive people, we also have to let go of any consequences of their actions. But would this be correct? It matters how you answer because it impacts the...

Zack Collie experienced a life-changing traumatic injury as a teen that presented him with the opportunity to either persevere or give up. Zack chose the first option, and as a result, he has a message that resonates with those who are facing difficult life challenges. Whether it is a traumatic injury, a debilitating illness, a painful and difficult relationship, the loss of a marriage, the loss o...

Don't complain, blame or explain. These things keep you from moving forward and taking responsibility for yourself. Find out why. Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and classes that provide practical...

When comparing toxic relationships vs. healthy relationships, there are many differences. Boundaries are handled differently. Reciprocity is one-way in one and two-way in the other. One has mutual understanding; the other doesn't. Only one has mutual goodwill and cooperation.  Another difference is how ruptures and repairs are handled. All relationships have conflict and disagreements. All relatio...

Caregiver burnout is common for people who are caring for another person. Watch this video to learn how to recognize it and how to care for yourself along with the other person. Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes mess...

Parenting struggling teens is one of the most difficult and challenging seasons of life, and it is no surprise that it is correlated with decreased marital satisfaction. Problems with teens become problems in the family, and according to Brandon Joffe, licensed clinical social worker and founder of Inspired Resolutions Counseling, solutions need to involve the family.     In this interview, Brando...

Have you struggled with setting boundaries with the marijuana smokers in your life?  Do you wonder if it should be okay with you when it is not okay with you? The increase in the use of pot is related to its legalization in many states. With that comes its normalization. Many now believe that is less harmful than alcohol. It isn't easy to tells someone that you don't approve of its use when they c...

Dealing with slobs is problematic. You can't make them neat and you can't live with the mess. Watch this video to learn what you can do.     Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/q8PY2wbyYes

One of the things we do in difficult relationship is use all or nothing thinking. This means when we see someone do things that are bad, we see the person as bad. When we see the person do things that are good, we see the person as good. This confuses us when we think that we have it figured out. It is better to think a different way.   Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: http...

Don and Alexandra (Alex) Flecky were married in 1980 and quickly discovered that baggage from their families of origin showed up in their relationship. They, like many other couples, found that their love for each other was hijacked by their reactionary interpretation of each other's communication.   Their personal experience figuring out how to change their own communication patterns, along with...

Is the Bible all you need for your life and relationships? The majority of Christians and pastors would answer, "Absolutely." It is taught in sermons and Sunday School and is the message of songs sung over many years. It almost seems heretical to ask it.  Yet, it matters because misunderstandings about this issue can cause confusion and pain in people's lives, especially when they are searching fo...

What is the difference between a boundary and a wall? Watch this video to think about the differences and when you might want to consider one vs the other.     Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally and relationally. Her Christian relationship advice includes messages, books, and c...

Emotional intelligence includes understanding that emotions can be primary or secondary. Recognizing this will help you to be less emotionally reactive in your relationships. Many in dysfunctional, toxic relationships struggle with identifying what causes their emotional reactivity, especially when past triggers contribute and intensify the responses.  The more you understand about your emotions,...

Rachel shares the crazy cycle of hope and despair she experienced in her painful seventeen-year marriage to a narcissistic, abusive husband. With raw emotions and heartfelt concern for other women and men in abusive relationships, she explains why it took her this long to do what finally convinced him to change.  While there is no guarantee that your spouse can and will change, there is hope if yo...

What can you do when your family won't talk about what needs to be talked about? Dysfunctional families don't want to address issues. Here are your options.   Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F2Vrq3JWMyg

There are four types of controllers who attempt to control you. You need to know who they are and what they do so you can refuse to allow their controlling to work. Watch this video to see what they are.   Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https:/...

Do you find yourself stuck in a rut, unable to move forward after a difficult life change or loss? It could be retirement, death of a loved one, loss of a job, loss of a relationship, a family split, an unexpected life turn or even an empty nest.  It takes time to navigates a grief journey, seasons of life changes, and loss, but sometimes it takes longer to adjust than you want. If this describes...

Christians believe that God wants them to put their spouses first before their children. This is especially true when women believe that they need to submit to their husbands. Watch this video to find out when the children need to put first.   Karla Downing's passion is to see individuals, marriages, and families set free from dysfunction, scriptural misunderstanding, and emotional pain personally...

If you have trouble asking for help when you need it, watch this video. You need to learn that it is good for you to admit you can't do everything by yourself.   Website: https://www.changemyrelationship.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChangeMyRelationship YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@changemyrelationship Watch this video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RO66snUOCzQ