Those Things We Do ... How Men Contribute to Relationship Problems
She’s upset…again. And I don’t have a clue about why.
Six years of dating followed by 26 years of marriage and I still don’t have her figured out.
After working with struggling couples for years, I know that I am not alone. Sometimes, the “relationship problem” is a surprise to us men. Other times, we know exactly what we did to cause it.
In my experience restoring relationships — and in my personal marriage experience — I have observed four patterns of reaction to relationship problems we engage in that actually hurt more than they help. They seem “good” because they keep us from feeling or dealing with the issue. But that temporary relief fades quickly when the issue reoccurs. And these always end up getting in the way of having the relationship our heart’s desire:
- Talk about it to others rather than talking to her to about it. When we talk about it to others and they take our side (such as friends) then it further galvanizes our position and vilifies her, widening the gap of misunderstanding.
- Hide what you truly think and feel about it from her. Emotions do not just go away. We damage the relationship when we “power up” and tell her off. When we hide, repress and deny our emotions end up coming out sideways.
- Withdraw to your man cave, work commitments or other stress-relieving hobbies. We assume incorrectly that if we avoid her, the issue will go away. In reality, the issue remains unresolved, only to pop up unexpectedly another day.
- Refuse to see your contribution to the problems in the relationship. We deny responsibility by blaming and making excuses.
The difference between couples who make long-term relationships work and those who do not is what they do when conflict occurs. I believe men are especially empowered to make the first move to resolve conflict (1 Peter 3:7). Men of integrity step into that power by taking responsibility to engage the problem head-on with the following action steps.
- Invite God in through prayer.
- Focus on your long-term desire to have a trusting, deeply-connected loving relationship.
- Make room in your schedules for an uninterrupted period of time to have the conversation.
- Help her share the “movie playing” in her head about the situation until she is fully heard. Give her “full body” attention focused on understanding what it is that she is saying regardless of whether you are in agreement.
- Check to see if you heard correctly by mirroring what she shared back to her. “What I hear you saying is…”
- Share the “movie playing” in your heard about the situation in a way that she can hear you. Own and speak your truth, including your feelings and judgments about the situation, by using “I” statements.
- Take full and complete responsibility for all the ways you contributed to the problem … even if it was unintentional. Offering an apology for your part is powerful.
- Commit to action. Ask what she wants or needs in the future. Ask for what you want from her in the future. Make temporary commitments in an attempt to build the long-term relationship you desire.
In my quest for being a man of integrity in my marriage — and in strengthening relationships — I am always searching for what works.
Question: What have you found is helpful for men in committed relationships during relationship conflicts?
– By Roy Wooten
Roy completed his initial Crucible weekend in 2009 and has been the longtime leader of The Crucible Project community in Houston. Roy and his wife Devra have led over 135 of their Life Together Forever Couples Weekends and are the authors of The Secret to Lifetime Love: Speaking and Hearing Truth. He also authored Full Throttle Into Fatherhood and is the Executive Director of Shield Bearer Counseling Centers in Houston, Texas. Follow Roy at LifeTogetherForever.com.
Photo Credit: Ahmet Kaya