Every week, we hear from wives who are quietly carrying the weight of a husband’s alcohol addiction.

“I am hoping and praying that he gets healed and that his addiction doesn’t kill him.”

“I have anxiety. I have fear. I feel stuck.”

“Too many times I have felt hopeless and have wanted to be dead so I wouldn’t feel this pain.”

“Hopefully my marriage will turn out for God’s glory.”

These words reflect the deep pain many women experience behind closed doors. Loving someone who struggles with addiction can leave you exhausted, confused, and wondering where God is in the middle of it all.

That is why we are so grateful for today’s guest.

Julie Sanford is a wife and mom of three who never imagined she would one day be married to an alcoholic. After walking through the long and difficult road toward her husband’s sobriety, she now comes alongside other Christian wives facing similar battles. Julie is a recovery mentor and the host of the Married to Addiction podcast, where she offers practical tools and biblical encouragement for marriages impacted by addiction.

In this episode, Julie shares:

• Common misconceptions wives often believe about their husband’s alcohol addiction
• Why shifting from “fixing him” to caring for yourself is a crucial step toward healing
• The importance of understanding what addiction truly is, and what it is not
• And much more!

We hope this conversation brings clarity and hope to your heart!

Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/julie-sanford-125

We all know that anxiety can take a big toll on the person who is personally suffering from it. But what we don’t talk about as often is how anxiety can take a toll on a marriage. The truth is, this challenging mental condition can often cause fear, exhaustion, and a sense of isolation that leaves both spouses wondering how to support one another or stay connected.

If you and your spouse are navigating anxiety, this conversation with Dr. Michelle Bengtson offers encouragement and practical wisdom.

Dr. Bengtson is a clinical neuropsychologist who understands anxiety both professionally and personally. She has endured anxiety and depression herself, and her book, Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises, became an unexpected guide during her own season of fearful thoughts as she and her husband faced cancer and all the accompanying unknowns.

In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares both clinical insight and spiritual wisdom to help couples navigate anxiety’s impact on their relationship. While anxiety can feel lonely and overwhelming for both partners, there is hope.

In this episode, Dr. Bengtson shares:

• How couples can draw closer to one another, even in the midst of anxiety
• Why presence matters more than perfection
• How to prevent compassion fatigue and caregiver burnout
• And much more!

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/michelle-bengtson-124

*In this episode, we talk about abortion, pregnancy reduction, potential loss of an unborn baby, and infertility. If you have an aversion or are sensitive to any of these topics, we recommend skipping this episode.

How do we approach God with this?
Has my view of God changed because of this hardship?
Can I still trust God? Will I trust Him?
If this doesn’t go well, will I resent Him?

These are all questions that Mauricio and Christin Rosa faced when they received the news of a crisis in their pregnancy and learned that they were at risk of losing their unborn son. When doctors advised them to consider a “reduction” in their twin pregnancy, their hearts broke for their child and the hardships he would have to endure if he survived. But they held steadfast to their belief and trusted God with the outcome.

This story touches our hearts deeply, and we are so grateful that Mauricio and Christin were kind enough to share it with us personally on the The Growing Home Together Podcast. This courageous couple is here to encourage us and to speak about how that difficult season of life impacted their faith. Christin is a teacher, author, prayer leader, and pro-life advocate. She has written a powerful new book called Saving Nate: Choosing Life after a Devastating Prenatal Diagnosis.

In this episode, Mauricio and Christin share:

• The importance of guarding your heart against bitterness
• Encouragement for the “deep valleys” of life
• How to go to God with your worries
• And much more!

We hope you enjoy this conversation!

Show Notes: growinghometogether.com/mauricio-christin-rosa-123