As expected, trust is a key component in any relationship or marriage. Communication is a tool with which, when utilized correctly, you can become closer with your spouse than ever before. Open and honest communication in any and all situations leaves little room for misunderstandings or misinterpretations. Avoiding communication rarely solves any issue. Be truthful and honest with your spouse, and refrain from “little white lies”. Your spouse is your teammate, and no team truly thrives with a teammate they can’t trust.
To strengthen or rebuild trust in your marriage, try these quick tips:
- Stray from people, conversations, or situations that tempt you to betray your spouse in any way.
- Don’t hide or bottle up your genuine feelings. If you are hurting or angry, correctly communicate how you are feeling and what event or action caused such feelings. Oppositely, don’t keep thoughts or feelings of happiness to yourself–tell your spouse. Share openly in your marriage, and your spouse will see they can trust you to honestly communicate your feelings.
- Apologize when you make a mistake. No human will get things right all the time, and you will be more likely to earn your spouse’s trust when you can admit to being wrong and make amends.
- Pray. If trust has been broken in your marriage, ask God to restore and renew the relationship, seeking His guidance and asking for help to make reparations.
- Forgive. Christ trusts us to follow His word daily, and daily we fall short–yet, He forgives us wholly. Try affording your spouse grace and mercy as our Father has done for us, and forgive an instance you have been harboring bitterness toward.