Romantic Conflict: Embracing Desires That Bless Not Bruise (The Gospel for Real Life)

“Brad Hambrick reveals that he knows real couples—you can tell he has fought on the front lines of marital counseling for years. Just as importantly, his writings reveal that he also knows how to handle Scripture. Combining these two skills is the perfect recipe for both a thoughtful and practical, as well as a true and helpful, discussion of marital conflict.”

—Gary Thomas, Author of Sacred Marriage and A Lifelong Love



Reevaluating Our Desires, Rewriting Our Conflict



Few spouses have desires that are evil—but even the good desires of two well-meaning people do not always match up. Fulfilling one person’s desires often means we must neglect another’s, which can lead to conflict and bitterness. So how do we enjoy the blessings of marriage without being consumed by our desire for the blessings we prefer?



Brad Hambrick shows us that Jesus addressed this very issue in his foundational call to be a disciple. In this plan for dealing biblically with marital conflict, he walks us through Jesus’ words and their implications, outlines a typical marital conflict, gives us strategies for how to “interrupt” our conflicts with grace and love, and gives us further tips on how to reignite romance going forward.



The Gospel for Real Life booklet series by the Association of Biblical Counselors (ABC) applies the timeless hope of Christ to the unique struggles of modern believers.



“The gospel isn’t just an ethereal idea. It’s not a philosophy and it’s not static. It moves and shapes and transforms. I am grateful for ABC’s work of letting the gospel bear its weight on these real life sorrows and pains.”

—Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church, Flower Mound, Texas



Brad Hambrick is pastor of counseling at The Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina, and adjunct professor of biblical counseling at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He provides many resources on counseling at www.bradhambrick.com.