Marriage Articles

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

Are You Fighting a Battle Your Spouse Doesn’t Even Know You Are Having?

Are You Fighting a Battle Your Spouse Doesn’t Even Know You Are Having?

Husbands and wives will find themselves in conflict with each other—that is undeniable. In fact, because the apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 7:28 that those who marry “will have trouble in this life,” we can also conclude that some conflict within marriage is by God’s design.

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?”

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

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

Why Do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 2

Why Do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 2

We introduced the idea of the despotic husband who recognizes that his vulnerable and sensitive wife typically acquiesces to his bully tactics. But now we want to put a name to these tactics of his in hopes that he will recognize the bully in him and that this is not how a loving husband triggers respectful feelings in his wife.

Why do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 1

Why do Goodwilled Wives Feel Frustrated? Part 1

There are many things that hurt and frustrate wives, but one complaint I get often is: “I must stuff my feelings, keep my mouth shut, and do as my husband says.” A wife wrote, "My husband and I attended your seminar. . . .

What Did You Do to Come Through Your Marital Crisis?

What Did You Do to Come Through Your Marital Crisis?

Have you come through a marital crisis? I’d love to hear your story. You could be the innocent victim with a wounded heart who experienced shock or the remorseful offender with a contrite heart who experienced shame. But before you e-mail me at story@loveandrespect.com, perhaps you could answer some questions that would spark your memory.The Six A’s. Let me say upfront that there could have been any number of reasons for the crisis.

19 Principles of Love and Respect In Marriage: Which Ones Do You Do Well?

19 Principles of Love and Respect In Marriage: Which Ones Do You Do Well?

Because God commands a husband to put on love toward his wife and a wife to come across respectfully to her husband (Ephesians 5:33), I have found it fascinating to think of the many ways of applying this instruction to the married. I believe many of you are making application of the positive aspects of the below 19 principles. As you read this list, which ones do you do well? Why?