Stoppe - If My Husband Would Change, Id Be Happy

Need help with your marriage? In this insightful and solid book Rhonda Stoppe gives wives real help! She puts her finger on problems and attitudes that plague every married womanand then supplies answers, solutions, and counsel from Gods Word.

Elizabeth George

bestselling author, A Woman After Gods Own Heart

A vast amount of the misery and brokenness people experience is the result of lies they believe. This is certainly true of marriage. Rhonda Stoppe debunks misleading myths with grace, humor, and candor and leaves you with hope that your marriage can become more than the stuff of your dreams: it can be the handiwork of God.

Richard Blackaby, PhD

author, Customized Parenting in a Trending World

If youve ever been through a difficult season in marriage, you may have secretly wondered whether youd be happier with someone elseIn this terrific book, Rhonda walks through several critical areas of discontentment, busts the myths that are so easy to believe, and shows just how important it is to rely on Godand how to do thatin order to move from heartache to joy in your marriage. This is the book for every woman who wants to be content and happy in her marriage but may not know how.

Shaunti Feldhahn

social researcher and bestselling author of For Women Only

I just loved reading If My Husband Would Change, Id Be Happy! Are you searching for the secret to a happy marriage? Stoppe not only delivers practical steps to finding your happily-ever-after, she shares a life-changing message of how to use a Christ-centered marriage for the glory of God.

Erica Galindo

founder, CEO, and editorial director SonomaChristianHome.com

If My Husband Would Change, Id Be Happy packs practical wisdom and many Aha! moments to shed light on the myths that sabotage relationships. Through storytelling, humor, and biblical insights, Rhonda Stoppe reveals where true joy originates and the secret of becoming your husbands best friend. BRAVO! Rhonda on such a well-written and much-needed message.

Julie Gorman

author of What I Wish My Mother Had Told Me About Men

I loved this book. Read it only if you dare to be inspired to better your marriage. If My Husband Would Change Id Be Happy is a must-read for anyone. Rhondas love for others shines through in every page.

Carmen Whittaker

wife of Fermin Whittaker, executive director California Southern Baptist Convention

If youre finding your happily ever after not turning out as expected and being shattered by your not-so-perfect Prince Charming, then Rhonda Stoppe is the fairy godmother who will point you in the right direction for a Happy Ending made in the kingdom of heaven!

Angela Rose

founder, TheLaundryMoms.com

Rhonda and Steve Stoppe have been long-distance pastors and mentors to my wife and I over the past 15 years. They are the most grounded-in-the-Bible people we have ever met. Because of that they have been an amazing example of how God intended a married couple to live as husband and wife, and mother and father.

Josh Berry

president, LabeLive

Rhonda Stoppe makes me want to be a better wife, a better mother, and a better grandmother. But most of all, Rhonda inspires me to be a better Christian through her own very real and passionate relationship with Jesus.

Joy Lucius

journalist, American Family Journal
author, The Dandelion Trial

When my husband had an affair, I thought my marriage was over. But Rhonda and Steve Stoppe helped us begin the healing process in our marriage by covering my husband and me with the love of our Savior. Their personal mentorship has been instrumental in making our heavy circumstances less burdensome, and they provide godly marriage counsel that imparts hope for the future.

Angie

humbled and blessed wife and student of the Word

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked ESV are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Cover by Dugan Design Group, Bloomington, Minnesota

Cover illustration Big_Ryan / iStock

Back cover photo Jackie Plaza Photography

IF MY HUSBAND WOULD CHANGE, ID BE HAPPY

Copyright 2015 Rhonda Stoppe

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

ISBN 978-0-7369-6286-5 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-6287-2 (eBook)

All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.

To my husband, Steve Stoppe, the love of my life for more than 30 years. By your example, you have taught me how to love selflessly and fervently. You are my Stoppe-Ever-After. I pray God gives us many more years to serve Him together in this mission:

To know Christ and make Him known.

And I cannot wait to one day stand before Christs Throne with you to celebrate with all those who have come to salvation through our ministry together!

To my children and their spouses:

Tony and Kylene

Jake and Meredith

Brandon and Jessy

Estevan and Kayla

I am in awe of how your marriages reflect the love of Christ to a world in desperate need of a Savior.

Soli Deo gloria

Thank you Gayle, Molly, Joan, Elaine, Pam, Penny, and Marge for becoming the Titus 2 women in my life when I was a young bride. The way you love your husbands drew me to you, and the way you love Christ caused me to want to love Him as well. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (Philippians 1:3).

Special thanks to

My husbandSteve Stoppe, for agreeing to write From a Husbands Perspective in this book. As a pastor, counselor, and husband, your words are insightful and inspiring to meand any woman who takes them to heart.

My editorSteve Miller, whose insights and wise counsel have helped Steve and me author this marriage resource for a generation who is desperate to believe a happy marriage can last for a lifetime.

Contents

I love being in lovedont you? From the depths of my soul I have had an adoration for my husband that has only grown deeper over the past 30-plus years that we have been married. Is this adoration a result of being married to a perfect man? Of course noteven though as a young bride I was convinced all of my happiness would be realized on the day I said, I do because my husband had promised to be my happily-ever-after.

On the day of our wedding, I walked down the aisle clutching my fathers arm because I was trembling. I could hardly believe the day I had dreamt of was finally upon us! I had spent six months planning our wedding, and by the time we were to say our vows all I could think of was that I would soon be Mrs. Steven W. Stoppe. (I remember writing my new name over and over again just to establish how I would sign itdid you do that?)