Sex is meant to be a gift, but what happens when it feels confusing, painful, or even like a burden?

In this honest conversation, we open up about the first few years of our marriage when sex was really difficult. We share what we learned through trial, tears, and prayer: how to handle mismatched drives, pain, pressure, and the impact of purity culture.

You'll hear five practical steps we wish we'd known sooner, and why patient, sacrificial love (and some gentle honesty) changes everything.

🎧 Plus, paid Substack subscribers get this week's bonus: The Honest Intimacy Conversation Guide — a step-by-step tool to start gentle, Christ-centered conversations about sex.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

📚 Books:

• The Mingling of Souls — Matt Chandler • The Meaning of Marriage — Tim & Kathy Keller (referenced for context) • Intended for Pleasure — Ed & Gaye Wheat (older book; contains some outdated views) • A Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex — Sheila Wray Gregoire (the "good girl's" title they were recalling)

Other:

@christiansexeducator — education on biblical, healthy sexuality
Mentionables Lingerie— model-free, beautiful lingerie (10% off with ONEDEGREE)
Intimately Us app— clean, marriage-focused intimacy app for couples

👉 Download the free Weekly Marriage Meeting Template 👉 Become a paid Substack subscriber for the bonus guide

No. 134: When Sex Is Difficult: Our Honest Story and What Helped