Episode

Marriage

Episode

130

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Love and Respect Improves Communication

Watch Intro Video

Emerson and Jonathan explore the importance of love and respect in improving communication within marriage. The analogy of love and respect as food and water is used to emphasize their essential role in a healthy relationship. The power of loving and respectful communication is illustrated through examples and the movie Cinderella Man. It is emphasized that individuals have the power to improve communication by taking responsibility for their own words and actions and anticipating triggers and choosing a different response. Believe in the power of love and respect in communication!

Emerson Eggerichs, Ph.D.

Author, Speaker, Pastor

Jonathan Eggerichs, Psy.D.

Psychologist

Questions to Consider

Do you agree that Ephesians 5:33, where God commands a husband to love and a wife to respect, serves as a superb guide and guardrail for improving communication? How can couples avoid letting their valid concerns turn into hostile and contemptuous communication? Why is this important, given one wishes to improve the quality of communication?
How often do you ask yourself if your words sound loving and respectful before speaking to your spouse? What most often happens when a husband and wife ask and act on this question?
Was there a time when you realized your spouse does not cause you to speak in unloving and disrespectful ways but reveals your choice to do so? How did this understanding improve your communication?
Do you agree that your spouse does not cause you to react in unloving and disrespectful ways but reveals your choice to react this way?
All of us have triggers but what have you learned about anticipating those triggers to make sure you respond rather than react?
Does the Crazy Cycle as described by Emerson make sense, and have you taken steps to jump off that cycle earlier than later?
In your communication is tone more important in improving communication or word choice?

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