12/07/2025
S*xual problems rarely resolve until they’ve taught us what we need to know.
One of the most under appreciated aspects of s*x is how it reveals what’s underdeveloped in us or in our relationship. In this way, it provokes us to make changes we might not have made otherwise.
What if, instead of loathing a s*xual difficulty—low desire, an unwanted behavior, or anxiety—you got curious about why it’s showing up and how it might serve your growth if you listened?
S*xual challenges aren’t just problems to fix. They’re invitations to listen and kindly confront what we’ve been unwilling or unable to acknowledge.
Two examples from research and clinical work:
• Sheila Gregoire's team has highlighted higher rates of vaginismus among evangelical women compared to the general population. When a woman is trained to see her body as a temptation before marriage, her nervous system cannot simply flip a switch in marriage to enjoy s*x—especially when the script suddenly becomes, “Be available or your husband will stumble.” That’s not covenantal love; it’s nervous system whiplash.
• Men lacking a sense of purpose were 7× more likely to pursue unwanted s*xual behavior (Unwanted, 2018). Many of us fight to stop an unwanted pattern, but rarely fight to pursue greater meaning.
We need to grow in our curiosity for what what our s*xual problems are trying to communicate.