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Making Marriage Work

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Previously published as Help Me, I'm Married , Making Marriage Work offers Joyce's insights on how to make a marriage succeed, thrive, and bless the lives of entire families.

Joyce shares with married couples how God can transform a marriage. Whether newly wed, happily married, in a marriage crisis, or just in a relationship rut, Joyce's principles will help energize and revitalize a relationship.

Discover how
Take the focus off yourself and your spouse and look to the Lord
Unleash powerful truths from God's Word for you and your marriage
Understand the opposite sex
Overcome roadblocks to a triumphant marriage
Live successfully with an insecure person
Create peace and order in your heart and in your home.

Joyce's practical, how-to advice will guide couples along the path to releasing God's power on their lives, and in their marriage.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 27, 2006

89 people are currently reading
401 people want to read

About the author

Joyce Meyer

1,592 books3,849 followers
Joyce Meyer is one of the world's leading practical Bible teachers. A New York Times bestselling author, Joyce’s books have helped millions of people find hope and restoration through Jesus Christ. Through Joyce Meyer Ministries, Joyce teaches on a number of topics with a particular focus on how the Word of God applies to our everyday lives. Her candid communication style allows her to share openly and practically about her experiences so others can apply what she has learned to their lives.

Joyce’s programs, Enjoying Everyday Life and Everyday Answers with Joyce Meyer, can be seen around the world through television, radio, and the Internet. Joyce has authored more than 100 books, which have been translated into more than 100 languages and over 65 million of her books have been distributed worldwide. She teaches in cities across America as well as internationally. Joyce Meyer Ministries has offices in nine countries.

Joyce’s passion to help hurting people is foundational to the vision of Hand of Hope, the missions arm of Joyce Meyer Ministries. Hand of Hope provides worldwide humanitarian outreaches such as feeding programs, medical care, orphanages, disaster response, human trafficking intervention and rehabilitation, and much more – always sharing the love and Gospel of Christ.

Her latest book, LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE, releases Spring 2018.

Hachette Book Group has sold over 30 million copies of Joyce Meyer's books.

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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Sunshine Rodgers.
Author 15 books415 followers
January 31, 2024
"If you want to be the queen in your home, treat your husband like the king. If men want to be the king in their homes, they should treat their wives like queens" (pg. 168).

I have read so many Joyce Meyer books - but "Making Marriage Work" was truly a special read! I think it was one of her best books yet and I highly recommend it! Joyce shares an in-depth look into her dating - engagement - marriage with Dave, even sharing wedding photos and pictures from their early years in ministry. There are stories that Joyce shares that I have never heard before! Joyce is very honest and vulnerable telling such personal stories - the good and the bad times. She talks about what was said and what was done to fix and resolve their tumultuous marriage including real arguments, struggles with money, work issues, the frustrations of building a ministry, etc.

She opens every chapter with a Bible verse and uses Scripture through her text. Joyce shares such truths such as: God's Love is the Beginning of Romance, Happiness is your own Responsibility, Stay Focused on the Promise, Count to Ten before you Speak, Rejoice over Small Changes, Identify the Time for Silence and when to Speak up (to name a few!). "Often people marry hoping that the other person can make them happy. But marriage must be looked at from the viewpoint of giving, not getting" (pg. 169). Joyce talks about how to live a Holy Life, how to get rid of strife and how to help an insecure partner. Chapter Ten is all about the bedroom intimacies for married couples. Chapter Fifteen shares insight to the four major personality types which highlight individual strengths and weaknesses. In Chapter Twenty, Joyce opens up about raising kids and offers parenting advice.

"When you are married to somebody long enough, and your love has grown, you may get to the point where you think your spouse is perfect after all" (pg. 224).



This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for David.
60 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2021
Overall, I think this is a good book that will help your marriage. A key message is to find agreement and common ground. Joyce talks about the strengths and weaknesses of different personality types. Try to focus on the positive and strengths. Husbands and wives are to cleave to each other according to scripture. There is no greater promise than marriage vows. "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31 A good marriage is a tremendous blessing from God.

Joyce Meyer, who grew up in an abusive home, is a divorcee. She discusses how her traumatic childhood impacted her marriage. There was abuse, anger, frustration, manipulation and strife in her first marriage. Her second husband had a lot of patience according to Joyce. Putting God first, loving God and trusting God helped her reverse course and improve her second marriage. Joyce began to depend on God and not her husband for happiness. She focused getting away from selfishness and helping her second husband. Selfishness can ruin a marriage. Joyce talks about the importance of the Holy Spirit as well. Marriage is a partnership that requires compromise and giving things away. "For the Lord God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one’s garment with violence, Says the Lord of hosts. “Therefore take heed to your spirit, That you do not deal treacherously." Malachi 2:16

Getting rid of bitterness, grudges and avoiding pointless arguments is important. Couples need to strive for forgiveness and unity. Obedience to God leads to unity. Forgetting the past can help as well. Joyce talks about the importance of having Christ at the center of a marriage, a healthy sexual relationship (in a marriage), humility, finding a place of agreement, kindness, listening, loving and appreciating differences , spending time together and unity. The author discusses keeping silent when angry, tired nor under unusual duress. The Bible says that being well balanced and temperate is key. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father" James 1:17 The author discusses keeping silent when angry, tired nor under unusual duress. The Bible says that being well balanced and temperate is key. I recommend this book for those who want to improve their marriage.

Bible Quotes:

"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." Galations 5:26

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18: 19-20

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." 1 Corinthians 13 (4-7)

"A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit." Proverbs 15:4

"But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with Him in spirit." 1 Corinthians 6:17

"Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers." 1 Peter 3:17
18 reviews
March 13, 2023
Practical advice

I really enjoyed learning about ways to improve my marriage. I especially appreciate the transparency and experiences that I am able to actually relate to. I would recommend.
17 reviews
October 11, 2024
Good, Godly wisdom. Joyce has an easy style but with hard hitting truths.
Profile Image for Valentyna Sinichenko.
32 reviews2 followers
Read
April 2, 2025
It didn’t make my marriage work, and I think that’s for good! Some marriages just shouldn’t work.
Profile Image for Ted.
75 reviews
November 7, 2015
Verbose and tangential

I thoroughly enjoy Joyce Meyer. However this book was in need of a thorough editor. Much of the content was great, however it was needlessly repetitive. I struggled at times to push my way through it due the meandering. I've read quite a few titles and this one just felt like it was hobbled together from several sources. As a consequence it never moved me the same way her others have.

However her core advice is great. It's simply that it could be reduced to less than 150 pages. There is a lot of filler here.
Profile Image for Mary Ladrick.
273 reviews5 followers
December 25, 2016
Meyer takes us through some excellent strategies for a strong, healthy and loving marriage with reference to biblical verses. There are interesting chapters such different types of personalities working together in a team in marriage. Highly recommended for anyone at any stage of your life and marriage. It may be for those who would like to be married in the future, newlyweds as a good foundation or those who have been together for a long time and would like some time to reflect or incorporate making some positive changes. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Patricia Gallant.
364 reviews15 followers
February 6, 2017
This book opened my eyes as to how I should be as a wife. It would be helpful for husbands to read as well but Joyce points out later in the book that it is likely that women are reading the book more than men are. You can only change yourself. There are so many helpful insights in here that I used a highlighter (and I never defame books!). She also tells the importance of a good relationship being a priority over children. I recommend this read for couples in every stage of marriage or pre-marriage.
Profile Image for Ashley O..
24 reviews
September 13, 2008
I'm a newlywed and this book really help me to understand that marriage is equal and that sometimes I just need to keep my mouth shut. Great for all couples
Profile Image for J..
356 reviews6 followers
January 12, 2014
I really loved the simplicity of this book. I definitely will be reading this again to refresh my memory!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

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