Relationship Issues Archives | Rowlett Christian Counseling

What You Should Know About Passive Aggressive Behavior

What You Should Know About Passive Aggressive Behavior

Melissa Plantz2026-01-27T05:59:15+00:00January 27th, 2026|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Do you know someone who uses passive-aggressive tactics to manipulate others? There are several forms of passive-aggressive behavior, but the truth is that a deeper reason lies behind the deception and mean-spiritedness. What is passive-aggressive behavior? Passive-aggressive behavior is a common coping mechanism employed by many individuals. Unfortunately, it is not a direct way to communicate or resolve conflict. Often, these traits exacerbate the situation. You have likely observed some of the following passive-aggressive behaviors. Leaving Hateful Notes The note in the break room telling people to clean up or else, or the note on your bathroom mirror reminding you that only slobs don’t clean the sink, are examples of passive-aggression. People with passive-aggressive behaviors applaud themselves for “telling” people off through notes. Complaining to Others Grumbling or complaining to others, but never to your face, is another tactic. They may make remarks to others, even angrily or bitterly, yet only smile at you or, at least, act indifferent. Intentionally Messing Up Tasks so Others Have To Do Them Sabotaging tasks or procrastinating for so long that you have no choice but to complete the work is a passive-aggressive ploy. It may be that they are angry with you or feel overwhelmed with the tasks, but instead of expressing their displeasure, they hide out or mess things up. Giving Back-Handed Compliments People with passive-aggressive behaviors are skilled at delivering backhanded compliments, which can be vaguely insulting. They may make sarcastic remarks and then laugh them off as a joke when you confront them about it. Posting Pointed Social Media Posts Without Naming Names Another tactic is posting rude or mean things on social media, almost sounding as if they are justifiably calling someone out. However, they never tag the person and may even block that person from seeing the [...]

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How to Forgive: Dealing with Toxic and Dysfunctional Family Members

How to Forgive: Dealing with Toxic and Dysfunctional Family Members

Joseph Bennett, Kate Motaung2026-01-03T06:23:09+00:00January 5th, 2026|Family Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

There aren’t any relationships quite like the relationship you have with your family. You can have “found family,” the people you gather around yourself as you make your way through life, and those relationships can be influential and life-changing. Your family, however, is that group of people you didn’t choose to be connected to, and maybe you wouldn’t ever pick them if you had the opportunity. However, it came about, family is a tie that binds. Putting it like that almost makes it seem as though families are more trouble than they’re worth, and more likely to be troublesome than not. Families are the first community we find ourselves part of, and they can be an amazing community of nurture and learning. These communities, like any other community, can be beautiful, but they can also be dysfunctional. What do you do when your family is toxic or dysfunctional? Various Ways Families May Be Dysfunctional When one or more people come together for a common cause, the door is open to issues such as unbalanced power dynamics, unhealthy communication, conflict, and personality clashes. There are different ways for a family to be dysfunctional, and each family can manifest dysfunction in its own unique way. Some common patterns of dysfunction in families include the following: Emotional dysfunction This includes issues such as emotional abuse, neglect, and placing unrealistic expectations upon family members. Abuse can take the form of belittling humor, emotional manipulation, and verbal aggression. Ignoring or being dismissive of family members’ needs is emotional neglect. Families are also spaces where excessive pressure to succeed is often placed on people. Communication breakdown Communication is the lifeblood of a relationship, and there are various ways it can break down. Dysfunction might take the form of passive-aggressive behavior, being overly critical of one [...]

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5 Ways to Increase Teamwork in Marriage

5 Ways to Increase Teamwork in Marriage

Joseph Bennett, Kate Motaung2025-11-22T07:38:57+00:00November 24th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Marriage requires teamwork. When a couple drifts apart due to conflict, differences in personality, or general busyness, it can become easier for them to become more individualistic in their marriage. The couple must work toward becoming a team to deal with whatever life throws at them. This also helps reduce the amount of conflict and the instances of divorce. Teamwork in marriage can be easier said than done. When personalities clash or two spouses are strong leadership types, it can be difficult for them to embrace teamwork. However, there are ways to increase teamwork in marriage that will celebrate their differences and embrace each other’s traits to create a strong partnership in the present and future. 5 Ways to Increase Teamwork in Marriage Here are five ways to increase teamwork in marriage: Pray One of the primary activities a Christian couple should do is pray together regularly. Even if a couple has not been used to praying with each other regularly, there’s no time like the present. In prayer, a couple can bring requests, struggles, and difficulties to God. Prayer promotes intimacy and trust in both parties as they pray for each other. When a couple acknowledges God as the Lord of their marriage, it increases the likelihood of success. God wants couples to be happy in their marriage and embrace their different roles. Although Ephesians 5 talks about the husband being the head and the woman being submissive, it also talks about the importance of submitting to Christ. When both parties submit to Christ and yield their lives to his will, they will embrace teamwork and become more united as a team. Submission is a vital element for both parties to adopt in marriage. The husband sacrificially loves the wife, the wife submits to the husband, and both submit [...]

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Signs of Marital Problems and How to Address Them

Signs of Marital Problems and How to Address Them

Joseph Bennett, Kate Motaung2025-10-09T06:01:01+00:00October 9th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Relationship Issues|

There is a story of a man named Hiroo Onoda, a Japanese second lieutenant in the Imperial Japanese Army, who didn’t know that World War 2 was over. For almost three decades after the war ended, Onoda, who was stationed on Lubang Island in the Philippines, remained in his post, convinced that the war was still ongoing. He only left the island in March 1974 when his former commanding officer was flown in to facilitate Onoda’s surrender. One of the many remarkable things about this story is how the world was changing rapidly around Onoda, but he didn’t have a clue about it. Seismic changes can occur in one’s life, and it’s not always obvious to you, even though other people around you can see what’s happening. This can occur in marriage; you may have problems, but end up missing the signs that things aren’t as they should be. Different Types of Marital Problems Marital problems take various forms, and they can flow from different aspects of a relationship. Some of the more common types of marital problems that couples encounter include communication issues, a lack of intimacy or emotional disconnection, unresolved conflicts that lead to resentment and anger, financial issues, and unequal distribution of responsibilities and household chores. Marriages may also face trust issues and difficulty trusting one another due to past behaviors such as infidelity. There may also be personal differences, conflicting values, interests, or lifestyle choices that cause friction between the spouses. Lastly, there may also be unaddressed mental health issues that may be affecting the relationship and the dynamics between the couple. While these and other kinds of issues may be present in a relationship, the couple may not see these issues for what they are. That happens for a variety of reasons. How and [...]

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The First Year of Marriage: Creating a Shared Home Office Space for Harmony and Productivity

The First Year of Marriage: Creating a Shared Home Office Space for Harmony and Productivity

Stephanie Kramer2025-06-27T06:35:42+00:00June 27th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Marriage Counseling, Professional Development, Relationship Issues|

When you first get married, you don’t always think about all the small details and adjustments that must be made in the first year of marriage. As your and your spouse’s lives intertwine, one challenge you might face is setting up a shared home office space. Whether you’re both working remotely, studying, or pursuing personal projects, creating a functional and harmonious work environment can set the tone for productivity and harmony in your marriage. Establishing your needs in the first year of marriage Before diving into decorating, organizing, and all the “fun” elements of setting up a home office space, sit down with your spouse and discuss your individual needs and preferences for the shared office space. Consider the following: Work Requirements What work equipment and materials do each of you need? Will you require desks, filing cabinets, or special lighting? Space Allocation How much space does each person need? Will you be sharing a desk or having two separate workstations? Privacy Levels Do you need complete privacy, or can you work near each other? Having a clear understanding of these essential factors will help you design a space that meets both of your needs. You may discover that you need to make concessions from your original plan. That’s okay, because these concessions are moments when you can show your partner love and compassion. Remember, the Bible teaches us to “do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3), which is a vital principle when sharing spaces with your spouse. Choose the right location The location of your home office can significantly impact on your productivity and comfort. Consider these tips: Quiet Area Choose a part of the home that’s away from high-traffic areas to minimize distractions and noise. No [...]

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Love and Boundaries: Resetting Relationships in Real Time

Love and Boundaries: Resetting Relationships in Real Time

Kate Motaung2025-05-29T09:03:20+00:00May 29th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Boundaries are the limits that mark our responsibility in relationships, to others and for ourselves. They serve to protect our hearts, our most important asset. When we govern the core of our being well, it frees us from the destructive potential of damaging emotions and relationships. Scripture encourages us to guard our hearts, recognizing that every issue pertaining to life flows through this critical filter. The Bible on Boundaries Unquestionably, we are called to love, as it is our Father's nature. Loving God involves reciprocity. We return that love by sharing it with others. We receive His love for ourselves. That aspect of welcoming His compassion to love ourselves has not always been part of faith conversations. Yet, what causes us to excel with loving others well is the degree to which we allow the Father's love to fill us, so we can effectively pour His grace and glory. Loving ourselves well means that we acknowledge the treasure within, even as we esteem it in others. Boundaries in Action Jesus exemplified the value of boundaries. There were multitudes who followed Him, observing miracles, receiving the benefit of His mission on the earth. There were many others that He dispatched to share the message of the gospel. Whittle that down to a smaller number of followers, and you will encounter the women who supported His ministry, and His disciples. Further distilled, Peter, James, and John were in the core that He drew into closer fellowship. This picture of narrowed access and engagement reveals that even the Savior recognized the need to distinguish certain relationships. He loved everybody and came to save all, but He also exercised boundaries. He assigned position and proximity, based on the relevance to the assignment from His Father. Mind and Communicate Your Boundaries Sometimes, what flows through [...]

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Relationship Advice for Men: 9 Practical Tips

Relationship Advice for Men: 9 Practical Tips

Sandra Stein2025-04-08T16:10:20+00:00February 4th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Men’s Issues, Relationship Issues|

God did not create us to be isolated beings. We were made for community, to live life with others, and to get to know one another and to be known so we can encourage and support each other (Genesis 2:18). However because we live in a fallen world, all relationships are less than perfect and require work and commitment to thrive. Relationship advice for men is often helpful at this point. The measure of a happy, healthy relationship is not the absence of problems but rather the way inevitable problems are handled. Relationship Advice for Men: 9 Practical Tips Consider these tips that may help you be more connected and have greater harmony in your close relationships. Be intentional Good relationships take effort. Don’t take your partner for granted, pay attention to what her interests are and the kinds of things she enjoys doing, and plan your dates accordingly. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we encourage intentional connection and practical steps that strengthen your bond every day. Build on friendship Make friendship the foundation of your relationship. Instead of starting with romantic dates, look for things to do that give you a chance to get to know each other and find common ground without forcing awkward conversation. Go for a hike, visit a museum, or take an art or cooking class. Volunteer together to do something that enables you to interact with each other while doing it, such as picking up trash in a neighborhood or walking dogs for an animal shelter. Create memories together that you can cherish. Pay attention to the little things Remembering little details such as your partner’s favorite things can say more than any grand gesture because it shows her that you have been paying attention and care about the little things that make her [...]

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Working Through Trust Issues in a Relationship

Working Through Trust Issues in a Relationship

Joanna Kucherera2025-10-31T12:38:12+00:00January 30th, 2025|Featured, Personal Development, Professional Development, Relationship Issues|

In Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, every hour or so, Old Faithful, the iconic geyser that attracts many visitors from across the US and the world, erupts for at least a minute. With temperatures reaching around 204°F, a few thousand gallons of hot water gush out of the geyser each time it erupts. Despite being dormant twice over the last century, the name ‘Old Faithful’ is a well-earned moniker. You can count on the spectacle of seeing the geyser erupt. One of the most precious commodities in a relationship is trust. Trust takes time to build and can be shattered in mere moments. If trust issues develop in a relationship, they undermine the foundation of the relationship and make it hard for it to function as before. Trust Issues in a Relationship When you say you trust someone, what do you mean? Trusting a person is making a statement about what we know of the person. We have seen enough of how they react in various situations to consider them reliable. You can predict what they’ll do, not because they are boring and follow the same script even in novel situations, but because you know their character. They will act consistently with who they are. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we help individuals and couples explore the foundations of trust and build stronger, more authentic relationships. Just like Old Faithful, a trustworthy person will show up when you need them to. If they don’t, you know without asking that there must be a good reason for it. This is quite different from the person who is unreliable and therefore untrustworthy. You can’t predict whether they’ll show up, and you can’t believe them when they give you reasons why they can’t show up. In a relationship, trust issues are doubts or [...]

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The Importance of Self Reflection for Your Well Being

The Importance of Self Reflection for Your Well Being

Kate Motaung2025-04-08T16:34:31+00:00December 30th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Professional Development, Relationship Issues|

The philosopher Socrates is credited with having said that, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” By this, he meant that people have the capacity to think about the meaning and purpose of their lives, and doing this enables us to experience our lives and our humanity fully. We can use our minds to examine our lives, ask important questions, and try to discover the meaning of our existence in ways that other creatures in God’s creation cannot. There is a lot to be gained from taking the time and creating the space to reflect on your own life. Sometimes, we can become so caught up in doing activities that we fail to pause and ask ourselves what we are doing and why. Getting to the heart of these questions can be a huge help in our lives because it’ll support good mental and emotional health. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we provide a safe and supportive environment to help you slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters. The Importance of Self-Reflection Life can just happen to us, barreling down at us at a hundred miles an hour. Our lives are busy, filled with meetings, phone calls, text messages, chores, conversations, and so much more. It’s possible to move from one thing to the next without really pausing to breath or to ask yourself important questions like, “Why am I doing this?” This is the reason why taking time to self-reflect is so important. If you don’t take the time to self-reflect, it can be easy to move through your life without thinking too much about it, and without ever pausing to see if what you’re doing is actually working well. When you take the time to self-reflect, it creates space for you to move beyond simply experiencing [...]

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Divine Desires: Strategies for Singles to Dethrone Shame

Divine Desires: Strategies for Singles to Dethrone Shame

Kate Motaung2025-04-08T16:49:37+00:00November 29th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Movies, media, and memes have jested about the plight of the single protagonist left to the mercy of prying, though well-meaning family. Whether seated around the holiday table or enjoying a barbecue with friends and family, unmarried relatives are targeted, cornered, and interrogated. In a society that glorifies couples, tension surfaces when others offer unsolicited opinions about our romantic life as singles. Our holistic needs and concerns seem minimized in relation to those of our married counterparts. For those of us whose single life has been imposed by spousal death or divorce, extended due to education, career, or not yet finding a match, those feelings of exclusion also creep from culture into the churches where we fellowship. At Rowlett Christian Counseling, we recognize the unique experiences and emotional needs of singles and offer compassionate support to help you navigate this season with hope and purpose. Our leaders may mean well, but they may not have experienced widowhood, divorce, or an extended period of singleness. They may lack empathy, insight, or feel insufficiently equipped to teach or offer programming that addresses singles’ raw needs. Outreach and events for a variety of subgroups get spotlighted, but singles are seated at the “kid’s table” of ministry, often lumped with those whose demographics and needs may vastly differ. Between later marriages and climbing divorce rates, unmarried believers comprise a significant portion of our congregations, but ministry has not necessarily adapted with the change. The church has room to grow in how it engages, disciples, and serves singles as valued and integral parts of the body of Christ. Dueling Desires For singles, navigating desire is at the core of many external and internal conversations, whether public or private, secular, or spiritual. Enter the contrasting narratives. The world clamors endlessly about sex, but by contrast, [...]

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