A weekly podcast with Emerson Eggerichs, Ph.D.
Read about Marriage, Parenting and Christian Life
Short video questions and answers with Emerson
Curated content on a variety of topics
Browse all Love & Respect books, studies, and gifts
Couple and Small Group series for your home or church
Love & Respect and many more by Emerson Eggerichs, Ph.D.
A few things you might enjoy or gift to someone else
Learn a little about Love & Respect
Join or host a live Love & Respect event.
Support us and impact others through your generous donation.
Reach out with any questions you have!
Browse through and read hundreds of articles on the topic of marriage
No two people will agree with each other all the time. Conflict doesn’t mean the marriage is in trouble, and disagreement doesn’t mean you married the wrong person.
You’ve likely heard me talk about “when the issue is no longer the issue.” What begins as a normal difference of opinion can quickly leave both spouses feeling unloved and completely disrespected.
Courtship and the first few months of marriage is a unique time in a couple’s relationship. We are usually focused on our partner’s strengths and rarely aware of the weaknesses or quirks that all of us have.
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.
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.
A wife who wrote to me recognized that her husband’s suggestion to do something in a different way was rooted in his goodwill. As a result, she sought to apply a respectful demeanor in response to his suggestion, which motivated him to be more loving. Great news, right?
Some folks say, “I will love you as long as I feel love for you,” or “I will respect you as long as I feel respect for you, and I certainly won’t respect you if you have not earned it." But we need to step back for a moment.
Two women in the Bible represent the desire to find a man who is a self-reliant provider. We read in Ruth 3:1: “One day Ruth's mother-in-law Naomi said to her, 'My daughter, I must find a home for you, where you will be well provided for.'” Although this narrative is centuries old and reflects traditional views of men as providers and women as those provided for, do such sentiments still exist today?
Guys, now it’s your turn! Every wife I have met (given she is in love with her husband) would agree that she feels most energized in her marriage when her husband seeks to be close with her, open with her, understanding of her, peacemaking with her, loyal to her, and esteeming of her.
Articles, Podcasts, Ask Emerson on a concept or theme