How to Build Trust in Your Relationship with Your Spouse

Openness is essential to building trust.

Trust is a strong force that binds a relationship, especially a relationship between spouses. Many married people often take trust for granted and sometimes forget that, just like love, trust is also an important foundation for a lasting relationship. It is easier and more likely for a relationship to fall apart amid big challenges when no trust exists. Building trust in your relationship with your spouse requires transparency, meaning no pretense and no deceit. This leaves you both feeling secure and even more intimate with each other.

Instructions

1. 

   Transparency helps you and your spouse feel secure and more intimate.

   Maintain honesty and transparency in your relationship. To do this successfully, develop a no-lie policy. Some people may tell you it is OK to tell a few white lies, but a lie is a lie. Lies always come back to haunt, and the gate for doubt opens when a spouse learns about a lie. So be as open as a book; tell it as it is. If, for instance, you received a call from your ex-lover or even an old flame, inform your spouse and re-assure her that she always comes first on your list.

2. State only promises you can keep. When you say something, mean it and back it up with actions. Give your spouse the opportunity to rely on you and what you say. If you promise to take him out for lunch, follow through. If you promise to visit his parents even though every inch of you does not like the idea, follow through, and let your spouse know he can count on your every word.

3. Tell each other everything. Give as much information to your spouse as possible, and don't forget to mention important little details. If you have conflicting thoughts about what is important or what is not, then tell your spouse about it.

4. Communicate regularly, and learn how to share your feelings. Do not be scared about the controversy that sharing feelings might stir up because bottling up, which is the other option, often leads to resentment, frustration and other questionable actions that can cause doubt in your spouse.

5. Trust your spouse, and show her respect. Do not let past experience from previous or failed relationships cloud your judgment. Do not play detective or investigator, looking for what does not exist. If you have doubts or are suspicious of anything, speak to your spouse about your concerns and talk about the situation.

Tips & Warnings

• Trust takes time to build through actions in any relationship, but only one action can destroy a relationship.