Can a couple have a happy marriage if one spouse is always suspicious of the other?

Having a healthy marriage is hard when you constantly doubt your spouse’s words, feelings, and actions. 

Such behavior demonstrates a lack of trust. 

Unless there’s been a breach of trust, a spouse should give their partner the benefit of the doubt by seeing and believing the best in them. 

Giving one’s spouse the benefit of the doubt changes the energy and flow of the relationship. 

Choose to Give Your Spouse the Benefit of the Doubt

Most people hurt the person they love, even when they don’t want to. All marriages have conflict, hurt, confusion, misunderstandings, and disagreements because people are flawed and imperfect.

Sooner or later, all spouses will experience frustration, anger, hurt, and disappointment; marriage isn’t easy or pain-free.

One of the best gifts a couple can give each other is the benefit of the doubt because they don’t always have all the information. 

Imagine the kind of marriage a couple could have if they always assumed the best about each other, withheld judgment, and responded kindly. 

Although healthy Love isn’t naive or blind, it strives to give the benefit of the doubt. 

Love rolls up its sleeves and works through difficult situations even after being  disappointed or proven wrong.

The Bible says love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.” 

Love doesn’t see the best in others only when it feels like it. 

A spouse chooses to see the best in their partner because they love them; it’s a selfless act. 

So, how can you successfully give your partner the benefit of the doubt?

Love Unconditionally

It’s not right to expect your spouse to love and accept you unconditionally but expect them to be perfect and never hurt you. 

Conditional Love is rooted in fear and selfishness, which is the kind of “love” that lacks the desire and ability to give the benefit of the doubt.

Be Patient

Seeing the best in your spouse requires you to be patient. It’s easy to make assumptions and jump to conclusions. 

Be patient and take the time you need to find the truth and clear up any misunderstanding. 

Be Understanding

Understanding comes by putting yourself in the shoes of the other person. 

Sometimes people say or do things because they fear rejection or abandonment. So walk in their shoes to get a glimpse of their fears.

Be patient and understanding with your spouse; be accepting, love them unconditionally, and assume they’re truthful and don’t intend harm. 

Be Forgiving

Choose to forgive and try to forget; move forward.

Don’t dwell in bitterness. Release your anger; don’t let it cloud your mind or heart because if you do, you’ll raise your defenses and put up walls to keep yourself from getting hurt again. 

Love Chooses…

Every couple chooses what kind of marriage they will have. Relationships don’t fail by accident. Choosing to see the best in your spouse and giving them the benefit of the doubt is one of the best things you can do to have a happy marriage.

“Love chooses to believe the best about people. It gives them the benefit of the doubt. It refuses to fill in the unknowns with negative assumptions. And when our worst hopes are proven to be true, Love makes every effort to deal with them and move forward. As much as possible, Love focuses on the positive.” Stephen Kendrick, The Love Dare