7 Steps to a Healthier Marriage video series

Why Safety is Necessary for Intimacy

A lot of marriage books, articles, podcasts and videos talk about how couples can increase intimacy in their marriage. But if a spouse does not feel safe, intimacy is impossible. As Wayne Reed explains in this video, safety goes beyond physical safety – though that is also essential. A spouse must feel physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually safe if there is any hope for vulnerability and ultimately intimacy in a marriage.

Get more out of this series!

After watching video 2, follow these steps to get the most out of this part of the series:

// Step 1

Read and meditate on this verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)

// Step 2

Answer these questions first on your own and then discuss them with your spouse.

1. What does safety look like for you?
2. What makes you feel unsafe?
3. How can your spouse be a safe person for you?

// Step 3

Listen to the Focus on the Family Broadcast “Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Your Marriage” with Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend as they explain what healthy boundaries in marriage are, and offer practical advice for establishing, or and re-establishing, those boundaries.

// Step 4

Read the article “To know and be known” by Dr. Henry Cloud to learn how couples can create a place of trust and vulnerability in their marriage.

// Step 5

Move on to the next video to discover what a healthy marriage actually looks like.