Change My Relationship

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 provide practical solutions grounded in...

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 solutions grounded in biblical truth...

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 from dysfunction, scriptural misunders...

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 affects your relationship. That anxiety c...

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, books, and classes that provide pract...

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 health of our relationships. ...

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 of a job or career, or anything else...

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 solutions grounded in biblical trut...

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 relationships have ups and downs, but...

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 messages, books, and classes that provi...

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 can argue that it is accepted a...

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.

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 their professional experience ...

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 for answers. Christian relations...

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 classes that provide practical s...

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, the easier it will be to make ...

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 you do this one thing in a way y...