Most of us have one or two things we'd rather not share with the outside world, but some people are slaves to their secrets. Extramarital affairs; drug, alcohol and pornography addictions; spouse or child abuse – all are secrets that can consume and destroy lives, marriages, families and jobs. If you live in that bondage, or you're hiding something from your spouse, children or friends, it's time to come clean....

The teen years can bring some tough emotional struggles. Most kids want to be popular and well-liked. If that doesn't happen, they can turn inward and withdraw into depression, or they can vent outward and do harm to themselves or others. What can you do? Well, the Journal of Youth and Adolescence says that religious worship significantly reduces depression among teenagers. It gets kids connected to something...

Laugh together. It's no joke. Laughter not only makes us feel good, but according to research cited in the Canadian Family Physician journal, it releases chemicals associated with bonding. A hearty belly laugh increases oxygen in your blood stream and gives your heart a work out. That releases even more feel-good endorphins. Humor helps us cope with stress; it relieves tension and creates a feeling of intimacy,...

When they can demonstrate maturity. That can be a tricky thing to pinpoint these days. Your teen may look like an adult physically, but emotionally still be child-like. You can't stand Tommy up against a door jamb and mark his emotional growth like you measured his height. Instead, you have to look for other marks to see growing maturity. Leadership expert, Dr. Tim Elmore has compiled a list of 7 Marks of...

It drives you crazy when he makes snap decisions, but his resolve was one of the reasons you fell in love with him. It bothers you that she's always talking to her friends, but her bubbly personality is what drew you to her in the first place. So what should you do? Spend the rest of your lives irritated with each other? Of course not. Instead, you should remember and appreciate those things that first...

We've all been wounded in life. Sometimes by others… a parent who walked out, a spouse who abused you, a child who rebelled. Sometimes it was self-inflicted… bad choices that led to an addiction, an extramarital affair, or a devastating accident. If emotional wounds go untreated, they can cause even bigger problems: depression, bitterness, a lack of trust in relationships. Once the wound is healed, sure, there...

Divorce… infidelity… the devastating loss of a child or spouse… these things, and others, can shatter a family. So, how do you begin the rebuilding process? First, survey the damage. Talk about it with each member of your family… really listen to the feelings they express, and be open about your own. Second, seek help from a trusted advisor or pastor who can help you sort out your emotions. Third, be patient—with...