How to Treat Your Husband With Respect

Mutual respect is an integral component to a healthy marriage.

Respect between a husband and wife is crucial to the success of the marriage. However, men tend to place more emphasis on the need for respect in the relationship than do wives. Wives can learn effective ways to treat their husbands with respect and build stronger, healthier marriages with deeper intimacy and greater love.

Instructions

1. See your husband's good-will. Accept that mistakes often occur with good intentions. When your husband's actions are undesirable, focus on the intentions driving them. For example, if your husband spills spaghetti sauce on the floor, focus on his attempt to cook dinner rather than the mess. If your husband buys you a new iron for Christmas, accept that he heard your complaints about your old iron and was trying to please you.

2. View your differences as positives. Rather than argue your opinion and try to convince your husband that your perception is correct, accept your husband's different view. Acknowledge that each person has his own way of interpreting events and sometimes both interpretations are correct. Use these opportunities to discuss your husband's perceptions further and learn more about how he thinks, which shows him that you respect his differences.

3. Love your husband unconditionally. Find the humor in his imperfections and mistakes. Acknowledge conflicts and attempt to resolve them, but without hostility or passing judgment. Do this by telling your husband, "I love and respect you and I want to resolve this issue. How about you?"

4. Ask questions about the things your husband is interested in. When he gets home from work, ask how his day was and request additional details. Attend sporting events with him or watch movies he likes. Participate in hobbies together, such as hiking or gardening. Maintain your own interests, but show your husband that you care about the things that are important to him as well.

References

• The Love and Respect Principle; Focus on the Family; 2004
• Bible Resources.org: Ephesians 5:3