Top 10 Articles on iBelieve in 2015

These ten articles were the most read posts on iBelieve in 2015. Which was your favorite? Anything you love that didn’t make the list? Let us know in the comments section!

10. 10 Women Christian Men Should Never Marry
by Debbie McDaniel 

Often in the quest towards marriage and finding “the one,” something happens. It’s easy to overlook things that may not seem that big of a deal while dating, but these things could be destructive patterns once married. Men, here are ten characteristics in some women to be careful of as you look for a spouse.

9. Don't Make These 3 Mistakes when Giving
by Anne Peterson

It’s easy to make mistakes when we give. We get into the mindset that the person should be satisfied with whatever he or she gets, but this mindset is faulty. Make sure when you give that you avoid these three big no-no’s.

8. 40 Powerful Quotes from Corrie Ten Boom
by Debbie McDaniel

The ten Boom family were Dutch Christians who helped many Jews escape the Nazi Holocaust of WWII. When their home was raided after an informant tipped off the Nazis of their activities, the entire family was imprisoned. Corrie and her sister were sent to a notorious Nazi concentration camp. She was miraculously released from prison just days after her sister had died there. God brought incredible beauty and healing through her difficult experiences, and her words still have great relevance and impact in our world today.

7. 10 Men Christian Women Should Never Marry
by Debbie McDaniel

Here’s the other side of #10. As women, we grow up dreaming about whom we’ll someday marry. We watch countless romantic movies and read fairy tales about Prince Charming. Often when our interests are sparked and feelings are flowing, we can get swept away and even lose sight of what is true. Yet, love doesn’t have to be blind. There’s no reason to settle for relationships that are unhealthy or even harmful. Here are 10 characteristics that ought to raise a red flag for us.

6. A Prayer for Hard Days
by Christina Fox

Hard days are opportunities for us to draw near to God. They are opportunities for us to rely on him, depend on him, and receive more of his grace. Such days remind us how desperate we are and how much we need our Savior. When we face hard days, we need to turn to God in prayer, seeking his help, strength, wisdom, salvation, and grace. If you’re experiencing a hard day (or week, month or even year!) here is a prayer for you to pray to God to see you through.

5. This is the Reason God Actually Hates Divorce
by Laura Petherbridge

I learned that God does hate divorce, but not for the reasons we hear in most churches (“it breaks his law”). No, the root reason is much more intimate, more affectionate. God knows that divorce deeply wounds and attempts to destroy his precious Beloved. Divorce endeavors to steal, kill, and destroy God’s creation. Divorce tried to assassinate me. That’s why God hates divorce.

4. 5 Indicators of an Evil and Wicked Heart
by Leslie Vernick

I think one of the reasons we don’t “see” evil is because we find it so difficult to believe that evil individuals actually exist. But they do. Here are five indicators that you may be dealing with an evil heart rather than an ordinary sinful heart.

3. 5 Things a Wife Needs (But Doesn’t Know How to Ask For)
by Joy Allmond

There are numerous things wives need from their husbands, but they don’t know how to articulate them, or they hesitate to ask because of the tension they fear the question will bring. More than 200 women were recently asked: What is something you need from your husband, but you don’t know how to ask him for it? Here are the top five responses.

2. A Prayer for When You are Waiting on the Lord
by Christina Fox

Are you currently in a place of waiting? Perhaps you are waiting for a job, for healing, for restoration in a relationship, or for wisdom to know where you should go next. Though it's a familiar place and one we know well, we can often grow wearing in our waiting. Sometimes our hearts grow heavy with worry and doubt. Sometimes we might wonder if God has forgotten about us or given up on us. If you are in a place of waiting, this prayer is for you.

1. 5 Ways You are Ruining Your Child’s Life
by Arlene Pellicane

Here are five parenting traps that many well-intentioned modern parents fall into without even knowing it. These attitudes and behaviors easily go undetected because they are ingrained in the culture around us. Don’t fall for these traps- learn what they are and how to navigate around them.