If your marriage is less than perfect and the "happily ever after" that was promised to you in childhood fairy tales is a distant dream, then Thriving Despite a Difficult Marriage will offer you hope. Christian psychologists, the Misja brothers, explain that faithfulness, not happiness, is God's desire for you. In your less that perfect marriage, you can still have meaning, purpose, endurance, and optimism. Paperback.
Michael Misja, PhD, BCPCC, is a Christian psychologist and cofounder of North Coast Family Foundation in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. He has counseled, taught, and spoken on Christian counseling for more than twenty years. In addition to the daily call show he hosted for six years, Michael developed and taught a program in Christian counseling for Moody Extension School for ten years. He has also served as cofounder and clinical director for inpatient and outpatient Christian counseling centers. He and his wife, Lin, found God and were married in New York City, where they were active in the arts and in ministry. They have been married twenty-seven years and have four children.
Charles F. Misja, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and cofounder of North Coast Family Foundation in Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. He has hosted a Christian call-in talk show on several radio stations and has taught at the college and seminary level. Chuck maintains a clinical practice and has been involved with missions work in Brazil for many years. He and his wife, Jackie, are high school sweethearts and have been married thirty-seven years. They have three grown children and six grandchildren. Chuck enjoys running marathons, downhill skiing, and fishing with his grandchildren.
Michael and Chuck Misja are brothers who are Christian psychologists. They have been in practice together for nearly 20 years. Both have seen how individuals seem unable to stay strong in their marriage when their needs are not being met. This book has been written to meet the needs of their clients and friends who need hope. A main readon we are writing this book is because of the many Christians who labor under the idea that if their marriages are not "happily ever after" marriages then they must not be responsible Christians.
Many Christians believe an idea that we believe is not a biblical one: If we do enough right things, believe the right doctrines, and take full responsibility for our actions, then we will have that "happily ever after" marriage that apparently is God's standard. Those with less than happy marriages feel guilty and like second-class Christians when in fact, we believe that God never promised that our marriages will make us happy. We believe that God's standard is not happiness but faithfulness. This is not a popular concept in today's world.
Michael Misja, Ph.D., is a psychologist who has counseled, taught, and spoken on Christian counseling for over twenty years. He hosted a daily call show for counseling and cultural issues program for six years. For ten years he developed and taught a program in Christian Counseling for Moody Extension School. He has served as co-founder and Clinical Director for inpatient and outpatient Christian Counseling Centers. He and his wife, Lin, found God, met, and married in New York City where they were active in the arts and in ministry. They have been married for twenty seven years and have four children.
Charles F. Misja, Ph.D., has been married to Jackie, his high school sweetheart, for 37 years and they have three grown children and six grandchildren. He is a licensed psychologist and maintains a clinical practice. He has taught at the college and seminary level and has hosted a Christian call-in talk show on several radio stations. Chuck has been involved with missions work in Brazil for many years and speaks Portuguese. He enjoys running marathons, downhill skiing and fishing with his grandchildren.
Average Rating: 4 out of 5 stars(4 out of 5 stars)
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2.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Gary Mayhanagian (Wyoming, MI), January 11, 2010
Not as helpful as I had hoped. And really not much offered until the last chapter. Some truth can be gleaned and applied to the hurting marriage partner.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Valerie Holt (Riverview, FL), December 29, 2009
This book offered a realistic, in your face approach to people in very difficult marriages and yet offered biblical ways to still thrive as a person that God can use. I highly recommend this book, what I like the most about it - it is not pollyanna and everything will be alright if you just pray about it.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Linda Christman (Wapakoneta, OH), December 29, 2009
I didn't read the whole book but passed it on to someone who needed it now. What I had read was so good that I ordered 2 more for other friends in troublesome marriages.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by David Dumont (Rochester, NH), August 14, 2009
Drs. Misja and Misja realistically address the genuine problem of Christians living in marriages that produces pain, confusion, doubt and anger. Jesus died to bring us peace in our souls and these authors offer practical advice on how to find it. Included is a in-your-face evaluation of what the bewildered spouse brings to the situation, in terms of expectations, desires, and emotional history and baggage. This book offers hope to Christians who desire to turn depression over their marriage into genuine joy in the Lord, whether circumstances change or not.
0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Naomi (OH), August 07, 2009
It is so sad to me to see Christians such as these two men embracing worldly wisdom, calling it "Christian Psychology" and attempting to help others through means that are not always Biblical. We are told in 2 Peter 1:3 "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." Either Christ is sufficient for all that life throws at us, or He isn't; we can't have psychology and the Bible and try to mix them together; they are worlds apart. If you want to read Biblical truths where Christ is exalted above all, as the true answer to all trials, then I would recommend the book by Mike Cleveland, "The Cross: Finding Life in Jesus' Death."
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sheila Landis (Americus, GA), June 10, 2009
This book is very helpful in most marriages I think. Even if you don't have a difficult marriage it is helpful to read. It also helps you see what other couples might be dealing with.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Marydiane Kuegler (Parkton, MD), April 16, 2009
After years and decades of seeking help in every possible venue (I was diligent about this) I came across this info while listening to "Focus on the Family" on radio-sent for the cd and book- and may I loud and clear say this is like nothing NOTHING out there anywhere! RUSH TO GET YOUR COPY !
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Trish Ashby (Mount Vernon, IN), April 11, 2009
EXCELLENT BOOK!! It was very easy to read and had so many situations I could relate to
and made me feel better that I was not the only person in the world in a difficult marriage. Great information to think about and consider to help the hurting spouse! This is a book I'm sure I will read several times over. Great backup with scripture which I appreciate since I want to know & do what God's word says.
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