5 Reasons Your Marriage Feels Stuck
Marriage is beautiful, but let’s be real—it’s not always smooth sailing. Sometimes you hit a season where things just feel… stuck. Conversations feel repetitive, connection feels distant, and you start wondering what went wrong. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone! Here are five common reasons marriages get stuck—and what you can do about it.
1. Unresolved Conflict
It’s easy to sweep arguments under the rug, but trust me, they don’t just disappear. Unresolved conflict builds walls between you and your spouse, making your relationship feel cold and distant. Instead of avoiding hard conversations, choose resolution over resentment. Talk things through, even when it’s uncomfortable. Healing happens when you face those tough moments together.
2. Unspoken Expectations
Have you ever been frustrated with your spouse for not meeting your expectations—only to realize you never actually communicated them? Yeah, we’ve been there too. Unmet (and unspoken) expectations can quietly build disappointment and resentment. The fix? Honest conversations. Talk openly about your needs, your hopes, and even your frustrations. Clear communication creates clarity—and clarity creates connection.
3. Emotional Baggage
We all carry stuff from our past—whether it’s childhood wounds, past relationship hurts, or just tough life experiences. That emotional baggage can cause you (or your spouse) to shut down or build walls. Healing takes time, but it starts with honesty. Be willing to face your past, invite God into that healing process, and create space for your spouse to do the same. Marriage thrives when two whole hearts show up for each other.
4. Busy Lives and Lack of Intentionality
Between work, kids, and the never-ending to-do list, it’s so easy for your marriage to take a backseat. Add in endless scrolling and screen time, and suddenly you’re living parallel lives under the same roof. The solution? Intentionality. Schedule date nights. Put your phones away during dinner. Prioritize your relationship like you would any other important commitment. Your connection won’t grow without effort, but even small moments of intentional time together can reignite the spark.
5. Fear of Vulnerability
Opening up can feel scary—especially if you’ve been hurt before. But vulnerability is what deepens connection. When you share your fears, dreams, and insecurities, you invite your spouse closer. Create a safe space where you both feel seen, heard, and accepted. Vulnerability isn’t weakness—it’s courage in action.
Don’t Stay Stuck—Pursue Each Other
Feeling stuck doesn’t mean your marriage is broken; it means it’s time to lean in. Keep pursuing each other. Keep choosing love. And most importantly, invite God into the process.
This is the heart behind our framework: Pray It, Plan It, Pursue It. Pray for your relationship, plan intentional ways to connect, and actively pursue each other every day.
Your marriage has purpose. Your love has potential. And your story isn’t over. Keep going—you’ve got this!
