If a happy marriage is your goal, you need to get into the habit of affirming and encouraging your partner. Many people spend their days feeling like they are being watched or judged, and want to come home to a safe and supportive environment where they can let their guards down. They want loving words of affirmation that build them up and make them feel like they can conquer the world.

Affirm your partner’s strengths

Pointing out your partner’s strengths and abilities shows them that you believe in them. It reminds them of their God given potential and gives them the self confidence they need to become the person God created them to be.

This doesn’t mean that you should pretend that your spouse is perfect and ignore his/her weaknesses. However, obsessing over your spouse’s weaknesses will only increase your dissatisfaction with him make your dream of a happy marriage even harder to attain. If you want to bring out the best in your spouse, keep pointing out his or her strengths.

Appreciate your spouse’s efforts

It is important to let your spouse know that you appreciate them.  A simple thank you can boost your spouse’s self confidence and make them feel good about themselves. Therefore, even if it’s your spouse’s job or role to do something, don’t let their efforts go unnoticed. You don’t want your spouse to feel unappreciated because this can easily turn into them resenting the things they do for the marriage and family.

Put your spouse first

Is your spouse number one in your life? Making sure that your partner knows that he/she is the most important person in your life is a great way to affirm them and boost their self esteem. You can even go a step further and also make sure that everyone around you – especially friends and family – knows your spouse comes first in your life.

Encouraging and affirming your spouse is one of the most important parts of being a good wife or husband. Your words have the ability to make them feel like they can conquer the world or reinforce their feelings of inadequacy. If you want a happy marriage, make a habit of building your spouse up with your words instead of tearing them down.