Christian Marriage Articles

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

What’s Really Going On with the Husband Who Doesn’t Want His Wife’s Input?

What’s Really Going On with the Husband Who Doesn’t Want His Wife’s Input?

Sadly, many a man will not include his wife in decisions because he fears her input as an attempt to control him rather than as her desire to be his helpful teammate. Not only is this man extremely insecure (which calls into question his manhood), but some would call him imprudent.

Do Different Reactions Toward Their Spouse’s Contempt Mean One Is More Justified than the Other?

Do Different Reactions Toward Their Spouse’s Contempt Mean One Is More Justified than the Other?

Over the years, I have heard from many women who feel they have more of a right to speak harshly and disrespectfully to their husband than he does to speak unlovingly toward her.

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

When There’s Something Else Going On Behind the Conflict

A minor unannounced U-turn after church escalates into hours of tears and despair for one wife, revealing how everyday preferences quickly spiral into the Crazy Cycle of missing love and respect.

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

Most of us long for a better marriage, and that longing is to be applauded. However, how might some go about improving the relationship?

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

A husband has a need to be respected by his wife. That is what Paul teaches in Ephesians 5:33. As well, a wife has a need to be honored (respected) by her husband.

Profiling a Spouse: The Invitation to Unearth New Insights Explaining Their Behaviors

He Desires to Be First Among Equals, She Desires to Be First in Importance

“Help! Forget Respect—What If I Don’t Even Love My Husband?”

“Help! Forget Respect—What If I Don’t Even Love My Husband?”

In Ephesians 5:33, husbands are commanded to love their wives, and wives are commanded to respect their husbands. One obvious question that I often receive concerning this is, “Why aren’t wives commanded to love their husbands?” The answer I always share is that God is not in the business of commanding us to do things that we naturally do on our own. Put simply, women love to love.

Love and Respect Can’t Be Treated Like New Year’s Resolutions

Love and Respect Can’t Be Treated Like New Year’s Resolutions

It’s that time of year again—when millions all over the world make New Year’s resolutions. Many will want to lose weight and become healthier in general; many will take up a new hobby or skill; and others will seek to become more organized in different aspects of their lives. But no matter what a person’s goodwilled intention for the New Year is, studies show time after time that roughly 80 percent of people fail in their New Year’s resolutions.

Are You Married to a Judas or a Peter?

Are You Married to a Judas or a Peter?

Having spoken for more than two decades about Love and Respect and counseling couples for even longer than that, I have heard more than a few complaints from husbands and wives about their spouses, especially in emails: “This man will never love me the way you talk about! You would not believe what I have been putting up with all these years!”

Your Spouse Can Disagree with You without It Becoming a Love and Respect Issue

Your Spouse Can Disagree with You without It Becoming a Love and Respect Issue

Have you and your spouse given each other the freedom to disagree without everything escalating to a love and respect issue? A wife wants the freedom to disagree with her husband without him feeling she is being disrespectful to him. Many times a wife wishes to give her opinion on what he is proposing, but he interprets her mere questioning as discourteous. She desires the freedom to give her input on his ideas, but will he give her that right? Or will he say something like, "There you go again, disrespecting my ideas"?