Marriage Articles

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

Do You Have the Humility Necessary to Move First?

Do You Have the Humility Necessary to Move First?

When a husband and wife find themselves on yet another out-of-control Crazy Cycle—where feeling unloved, she reacts without respect; and feeling disrespected, he reacts without love—how do they decide who is going to be the first to stop reacting unlovingly or disrespectfully?

What Do You Think When You Hear “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?

What Do You Think When You Hear “Happy Wife, Happy Life”?

You’ve probably heard the phrase “happy wife, happy life” before. Maybe it’s in the context of something simple, like choosing what restaurant to eat at or not leaving dirty clothes on the bathroom floor.

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

Why Does a Wife Not Hear That Her Husband Needs Respect?

The idea of unconditional respect for the husband has always been the Love and Respect message’s unique feature, based on Ephesians 5:33. Many books stress Paul’s instruction for husbands to love their wives (“each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself . . .”), but few spend equal space if any at all, to the rest of the verse (“. . . and the wife must respect her husband”).

How Is C.H.A.I.R.S. The Key to Having More Meaningful Conversations With Your Husband?

How Is C.H.A.I.R.S. The Key to Having More Meaningful Conversations With Your Husband?

Many wives share disappointment that their husbands rarely talk to them at a deeper level. “Emerson, when we were dating, we used to talk long into the night getting to really know each other. What happened to him?”

Are You Humbly Voicing a Need or Formalizing a Complaint?

Are You Humbly Voicing a Need or Formalizing a Complaint?

In the beginning, after God had created Adam and placed him in the garden to cultivate it, He said, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him” (Genesis 2:18).

How Is C.H.A.I.R.S. The Key to Having More Meaningful Conversations With Your Husband?

Are You Humbly Voicing a Need or Formalizing a Complaint?

How is Your Tone of Voice and Facial Expression?

How is Your Tone of Voice and Facial Expression?

I have counseled many couples where the wife complains that the husband comes across as harsh and unloving. From her pink perspective, he is frowning with disapproval or sounding stern, even angry.

What if We Are an Exception to Pink and Blue? Part 2

What if We Are an Exception to Pink and Blue? Part 2

In the next several weeks, I’ll share with you the most frequently asked questions we get at Love & Respect Ministries. Last week I responded to the concern…

What if We are an Exception to Pink and Blue? Part 1

What if We are an Exception to Pink and Blue? Part 1

At times I receive mail or personal inquiries at our conferences to the effect: "We don't fit your description of husband and wife.

Forgiveness: The Ultimate Strategy for Halting the Crazy Cycle

Forgiveness: The Ultimate Strategy for Halting the Crazy Cycle

As we enter a new year, many of us no doubt have made resolutions such as “work on my marriage” or “be a nicer person” or “grow closer to the Lord.” But do we have a strategy to fulfill these resolutions? How do we plan to meet such goals? One often overlooked – but critical issue – is the concept of forgiveness. With God’s help, this powerful act can help us accomplish all of the above – and more. In my next several blogs, I want to focus on forgiveness – the ultimate strategy for halting the crazy cycles in our relationships.