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6 Ways Your Words Can Build a Strong Foundation in Marriage

Does your marital house have a strong foundation?  Do you use your words as building blocks or wrecking balls?  Words have power, so use your power for good.  Here are six ways to use words in a positive way:

1. In a marriage, the way you care for each other can speak volumes.  Thank your spouse for the way they care for you.  Wives, thank your husband for making you feel protected and loved.  Husbands, thank your wives for the way they put you and your children first.
2. Encourage one another.  If you are a two-career family, encourage and support each other in your work lives.  Husbands, if your wife has a big work project, pitch in and help out more around the house.  Wives, if your husband has to work late or bring work home, don’t make him feel guilty or act in a passive-aggressive manner.  Both of you are contributing to the family.  Wives, if you do not work outside the home, show understanding when your husband has work burdens. He feels a great responsibility to be a good provider, so the way you respond will either make him feel like a success or a failure.
3. Tone!  The way you sound and your body language can overshadow your words!  Be especially careful in moments of conflict when you are not thinking as clearly or speaking as carefully.  You and your spouse should be able to discuss everything, but always do it with mutual respect.
4. Honor your spouse inside and outside your home.  Don’t discuss your marital issues with your friends or co-workers.  Don’t disrespect your spouse in front of others or air your “dirty laundry” in public.  If you must get wise counsel, find one trusted source and speak with them in confidence.
5. Decide together!  This will affirm your importance in each other lives and in your joint partnership. In the area of family life, make joint decisions concerning your children.  In financial areas of your marriage, agree on your boundaries in advance.  For example, any items under $100 may be purchased without discussion.  Any items that cost more should be a joint decision. Don’t exclude each other in any area of your lives.
6. Maintain physical intimacy.  If a man’s physical desires are not met, he feels as if he does not matter.  If a woman’s emotional desires are not met, she feels unloved and undesirable.

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