The Third Option International

The Third Option International The Third Option is an on-going skills based group program to build better marriages. Each of the fo Painful endurance or divorce?

Many of us manage our marriage as a series of choices between “His” desires and “Her “desires. We may choose either end of the balance line: either “Peace at any price” or “Letting it all hang out.” Why do we see only two options? Both options fail to bring us together, but instead tend to move us to extremes. Break through the clutter of past baggage and misunderstandings. Find the healthy middle ground, a program called THIRD OPTION. Third Option is an on-going skills based group program that has been building healthy marriages since 1988. Each 14 session cycle covers a comprehensive set of tools useful for developing better understanding, sensitivity and trust while learning more effective speaking and listening skills. The Third Option means reconciliation. When couples are struggling they will say they have “tried everything” but what they usually mean is they have tried the same two extreme options over and over, never finding what works. (Example: they have stuffed their anger, or they have attacked with it. Neither will give them the marriages they want.) The Third Option combines skill-building workshops and sharing from mentor couples with a peer support group that is caring and accepting.

12/21/2025
12/21/2025
12/21/2025

Paul Tripp has said, “Marriage is one of God’s primary workshops for change to take place.” Through daily sacrifice, forgiveness, and choosing love when it costs, God uses marriage to shape our hearts into the likeness of Christ.

12/20/2025

"Who is a rock like our God?"

12/20/2025

A full calendar can quietly drain a healthy marriage. Pause long enough to check your heart, your attitude, and your connection. Unity is built on purpose, not autopilot.

12/19/2025


12/18/2025

Marriage was never created to rescue you. It was designed to shape you. When the gospel remains at the center of your marriage, your spouse can truly be a gift, not someone you rely on to be your god.

12/18/2025

No one on earth can encourage a husband quite like his wife. (And the same is true for wives and their husbands, but today we'll focus on just the ladies). We must remain mindful of that truth.

As a wife, you have access to your husband's heart unlike anyone else. You know his strengths and his weaknesses. His hopes and his fears. His confidences and insecurities. His victories and failures.
Use your words and actions to help him instead of discouraging him. That's love in action, and it will transform your marriage.

But what if you don't FEEL strong? Should you pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, grit your teeth, and just be stronger? I don't think that's the answer. The answer is to look to the ONE who is strong forever, victorious always, and eternally available: Jesus. Be strong, yes, but be strong IN CHRIST. Let who he is, what he's done, and who he says you are, be your unending source of strength.

He is and always will be enough.
Fierce wife: TAG your husband below and tell him something encouraging. You may make his day!

Stay fierce,
Selena

12/18/2025

There's no greater truth for the life of your marriage. We desperately need Jesus in every facet of who we are.

Without him, the definition of love is transient and ever-changing.

Aside from his love, grace, and goodness, we lack the strength and joy to love in a truly selfless way.

If we can communicate one thing to help your marriage, it's this: seek Jesus with everything you've got. He's the one love that has never failed and will never disappoint.

12/18/2025

Marriage has a way of exposing places in us that still ache, not to shame us, but to invite healing. Your spouse can walk with you, love you, and support your growth, but they were never meant to replace what childhood couldn’t give. When we expect our partner to fill every gap, we place a weight on marriage it was never designed to carry. Healing begins when we take responsibility for our story and invite God into the places our spouse can’t reach.

12/18/2025

How you treat your spouse says more about your relationship with God than you think.

Marriage isn’t just relational, it’s spiritual. And every moment with your spouse is an invitation to respond to God’s heart with humility, love, and obedience.

Address

10475 Cosby Manor Road
Utica, NY
13502

Telephone

+18556249476

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Third Option International posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Our Story

Many of us manage marriage as a series of choices between “His” desires and “Her “desires. We may choose either end of the balance line either “Peace at any price” or “Letting it all hang out.” Why do we see only two options? Painful endurance or divorce? Both options fail to bring us together, but instead tend to move us to extremes. Break through the clutter of past baggage and misunderstandings. Find the healthy middle ground, a program called THIRD OPTION. Third Option is an on-going skills based group program that has been building healthy marriages since 1988. Each 14 session cycle covers a comprehensive set of tools useful for developing better understanding, sensitivity and trust while learning more effective speaking and listening skills. The Third Option means reconciliation. When couples are struggling they will say they have “tried everything” but what they usually mean is they have tried the same two extreme options over and over, never finding what works. (Example: they have stuffed their anger, or they have attacked with it. Neither will give them the marriages they want.) The Third Option combines skill-building workshops and sharing from mentor couples with a peer support group that is caring and accepting.