FamilyLife Today®

Trials come in various shapes and sizes. It's how we respond to those trials that determine who we really are. Katherine Wolf, joined by her husband, Jay, talks about the massive brainstem stroke she miraculously survived just months after giving birth to their son. The Wolfs recall what drew them together as college students and what their life was like on the sunny California coast before this life-altering trauma.

Roger Fankhauser, author of the book, "Stormproof Men," gives hope to those struggling with sexual sin. Sin gets its strength in the dark, and shame tells us not to tell, but the Bible gives us a better way to be set free. At the root of sexual sin, Fankhauser explains, is the feeling of false intimacy that pornography gives you. In truth, porn only tears down the trust between a husband and wife, and that's tough to rebuild. Freedom from sexual sin won't be found apart from confession and accountability.

Sexual sin is a pandemic in our culture. Roger Fankhauser, Senior Pastor of Burleson Bible Church, talks about living sexually pure in a sex-saturated world. Fankhauser reminds us that it's possible to live a pure life, but the key is "wanting to." Also important is developing a healthy view of God and sin to overcome temptation.

Pastor David Michael and his wife, Sally, co-founders of Truth78, have a strong passion to see parents discipling their children in the faith. Although children are often taught the main Bible stories about Noah, Samson, Jonah, and the like, which capture children's imaginations, the Michaels find that the main character of the story, God, is often overlooked. They encourage parents to talk to their children about God, and point out what He is doing in their lives.

Your child is a good child, right? Paul David Tripp says, "not so fast." Parents often make the mistake of expecting Christian character to be built in at birth. When they let this false premise govern key aspects of their parenting, the child suffers. Tripp provides practical parenting advice for developing gospel-centered Christian character in your child.

Best-selling author Paul David Tripp understands parents' desire to get their kids to behave. Tripp encourages parents to see themselves as God's ambassadors. Children are created to live under God's authority. So next time those little fights crop up about what to eat or when to go to bed, remember it's not really about food or bed time but about rescuing a child from himself.

Paul David Tripp talks honestly about parenting children with the love, wisdom, and mercy only God can provide. Tripp recalls a few of his own parenting failures. While children need the law for guidance, Tripp reminds parents the law has no power to change the heart. Only grace can do that.

Meg Miller wasn't sure her marriage would survive after she discovered porn on their home computer. The pain she felt after her husband's betrayal consumed her. She felt she had been a good wife, only correcting her husband here and there when she had a better way of doing things. Miller remembers her desperation as she begged God for healing, even telling God to change her if that's what it would take. Hear how God answered her prayers and gave her insight on how to better relate to her husband.

Meg Miller knew marriage was going to be hard when she first tied the knot. After all, that's what everyone says. But three years into the marriage, Meg was shocked to find porn on their home computer, and she was devastated. Though her husband was repentant and sought counseling, Meg just couldn't get past it and thought this just might end their marriage. Miller tells what she felt after her discovery and what goes on in a wife's heart when she finds her husband is secretly lusting after other women.

Author September McCarthy talks about the challenges and joys of motherhood. September reminds us that children are made to be received and later released. She remembers feeling restless when her son, Benjamin, turned one, and she considered pursuing something outside the home. The Lord, however, showed her that her family was her mission field, and she could be fulfilled serving and teaching her growing family.

September McCarthy talks about the adventures of raising a large family. But initially, having a big family wasn't on her radar. When expecting her first child, she felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. Unfortunately, the pregnancy ended in miscarriage, and their second child also died shortly after birth. God used that transforming moment to show her the sacred in the suffering and to change her heart about motherhood.

It's easy to thank God for the blessings, but thanking Him for the thorns, not so much. Author Mary Mohler tells the story of hymn writer George Matheson, whose fiance left him when she learned he was going blind. Though heartbroken, Matheson remained faithful, thanked God for his thorn, and threw himself into his theological studies. Mohler gives listeners ten practical examples of how we can thank God in the midst of our pain.

Grumbling comes naturally for most of us. Mary Mohler, wife of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary President Al Mohler, takes a biblical look at griping, complaining, and grumbling and identifies some gratitude robbers that may be stealing our joy like loved ones who aren't walking with the Lord, busyness, and doubt.

Are you a grateful person? Author Mary Mohler reminds us gratefulness isn't an option for the Christian. We were all hopelessly lost, but God was rich in mercy and paid our sin-debt for us. Because of this, we should be living lives overflowing with gratitude. Even in adversity, we need to remind ourselves that nothing can separate us from God's love, and we must trust that He knows what's best in this season.

Eryn Lynum, author of "936 Pennies," tells how the gift of a jar of 936 pennies at her son's baby dedication transformed her family's life by keep them intentionally focused on the importance of each passing day. Lynum explains that parenting isn't always a peaceful process with mess, chaos, and noise in a houseful of kids, but Jesus can meet us there and carry us on the days when we feel discouraged.