Today is “release day” for Staying Power: Building a Stronger Marriage When Life Sends Its Worst—the first book Gene and I have written together, along with Dave & Cindy Lambert.
With COVID-19 keeping us from speaking engagements, we need your help with getting the word out about this book. You can order here. The book is also available wherever books are sold.
This book is about what every couple will experience when outside circumstances and stressors try to deteriorate and weaken, if not destroy, their marriage. Whether it’s a child’s rebellion, infertility, chronic illness, or a financial tragedy, even couples who have been together for decades must be able to weather these storms.
We had no idea that we’d be in the middle of COVID-19 when this book was released. Most of us are working from home; some of you are homeschooling your kids—very unexpectedly; all of us face challenges in our marriages during this crisis that we never expected—and Gene and I are praying that this book will be of great help to you.
The book offers practical insights, real-life illustrations, and thought-provoking questions to help couples thrive in any situation. Staying Power helps couples to face some of life’s most difficult issues and offers guidance on a variety of topics, including how to:
- handle anger creatively, forgive freely, and persevere together
- nurture one another in powerful ways
- learn new techniques for connecting both verbally and nonverbally
- get help now—with 13 crisis help sheets in the back of the book
This book addresses the choices, practices, and principles that can make a marriage stronger when faced with the types of crises that come from outside the marriage through no choice of the husband or wife — life crises that we all are hit with at some point.
Author Liz Curtis Higgs says:
“This powerful book is, in a word, real. No simple platitudes or pat answers here. You’ll find real people filled with real emotions sharing real situations and offering real solutions. Every pastor, counselor, teacher, and therapist needs this resource on their shelves. The crisis help sheets alone are a gold mine of information. Even happily married, no-problems-at-our-house couples should read Staying Power for the many practical ideas for strengthening communication skills with your spouse. And for any couple going through life’s most difficult trials, this is the read you need right now. You won’t find wiser, more compassionate friends than Carol, Gene, Cindy, and Dave. Their sound, biblical direction will help you and your marriage partner press through the hard times and emerge stronger than ever. Whatever unexpected challenge has landed on your doorstep, Staying Power has the answers you’ve been looking for.”
Thank you for your help with letting people know that Staying Power is available now. If you’d like to read Chapter 1 of the book before purchasing, go to www.thestayingpowerbook.com. We appreciate you!
If you’d like to order autographed copies for you or for friends, please call Gene at 586-481-7661. The retail price is $16.99, but we’re offering it for 30% off retail, making it $11.90 each, plus $4.00 shipping in any quantity to the same address. (USA only)
Question: What is the biggest challenge your marriage or family is facing since you began “sheltering-in” due to the coronavirus?
My husband and I are going to be traveling home to Michigan after spending 2 .onths in Florida. We have heard supplies are “iffy”. My husband is also greatly concerned he will fall ill and die. We have been married 6 years. He’s 84 and I’m 74. I believe strongly God’s love has been leading us, protecting us. We have been incredibly protected and provided for so far. While my husband faithfully goes to church every Sunday and follows the strict rules of his Catholic church, he has trouble thinking about God being especially kind. I know this is a time of learning for him….and me. I do believe the Lord is with us and will provide and guide us through.
Can’t wait to read the book.
The biggest crisis we’ve had Carol and Gene is the birth of our newest grandson, Levi, on Feb 1st. He was our youngest daughter’s first baby and came 8 weeks early with Down syndrome and other birth anomalies. Or lie daughter lives states away from all her family. Despite a valiant fight, Levi went home to Jesus on March 11th. We are all isolated now and that has been so difficult for our family with this loss.
I will be buying your book!
My issues are probably not dealt with but will be giving the book to my children.
I have been married for 53 years. In the last year the abuse has stopped. However for the rest of the time I was emotionally and mentally abused. It has been a difficult life. For much of the time I thought it was me. Then my daughter referred to it as abuse 20 years ago. I have Parkinson’s and this has caused some mental issues. The Psychologist I now go to has really helped. In fact she has left the door open for me to call her at anytime. Really decided I wanted to stay in the marriage if only to help keep children and grandchildren together. I have a severely handicapped daughter who is in a facility to look after her many health needs. My decision to stay in the marriage had nothing to do with finances. I am fully independent financially. In fact my husbands lifestyle would be changed if I was not there. It is pretty much a decision made because my husband is a believer and as a Christian felt I had made a vow.
From this comment you probably realize that forgiveness has been hard. My husband has never felt he did nothing wrong. However I am working hard on the forgiveness end. Certainly As Christians we are commanded to forgive. I also had to make definite decision that I HAD to do this.Certainly God, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit have given direction and peace. My Psychologist warned me this would be hard and it is very hard. A day by day issue. This is a story you probably don’t hear often..
Raising 3 children was hard. However raising two children who are now married who are Christians and now 7 grandchildren is very gratifying. The one issue for me is what they lived through. My son particularly was dealt with in an abusive way and maybe then I should have left. He has suffered mentally for this but is getting good help.Certainly I felt no one would believe me if I did leave.
There were many times when I reacted instead of responding. I could have done better.
For what it is worth this is at least an outline. I met you years ago in Toronto (CWC) and at MBC.
Blessings Diane Stouffer
Biggest challenge has been dealing with grumpiness. But really we’ve been doing quite well and are using this time to work on projects together. We have three working from home and one college student right now so we’ve created a nice little coworking system and enjoy that family can be coworkers right now, though my college age daughter deeply misses her friends and freedom. My son came to work at our house because he didn’t want to be isolated in Atlanta. So we are choosing to look at the blessings that this time is bringing us
Sharing right now. And clicking over to order a copy. Thanks so much for such a valuable resource.