
You Get an “F” for Criticism
How healthy is your marriage?
What is the quality of your relationship?
If you graded your relationship, what would you give it, an A, B, C, D or F?
This is something that I really want you to think about because it can create a marriage breakthrough for you.
So, I have two questions to help you figure out how healthy your marriage is.
(Please do yourself a favor and take the time to carefully consider your answer and answer honestly, too.) By following this process, you will gain a deep insight into the quality of your marriage.
Question Number One:
How critical are you towards your spouse?
(And how critical is your spouse towards you?)
Do you know what a critical spirit does?
A critical spirit crushes your mate.
Being critical of your spouse is like seeing a beautiful flower and then deciding to stomp on it, grinding its petals into the ground.
**Criticism is never helpful for a marriage**
Here are ways people demonstrate criticism:
Critical words
Critical sounds
Critical gestures
Critical facial expressions
Critical silence
Do you do any of those things to your spouse?
We’re flawed, human beings. Criticism happens sometimes – but there’s still no excuse for it.
How often are you critical? Enough for it to be a pattern or trend of your behavior?
Decide today to rid your marriage of criticism.
Stop being critical. And start giving encouragement. Neutralize criticism with encouragement. Criticism destroys. But marriages flourish with encouragement.
Here’s what you need to do today to make this stick. Before the day is over, encourage
your spouse in some way.
Question Number Two:
What tone of voice do you usually use when speaking to your spouse?
My wife says that the tone of my voice is as important to her as is a dozen roses.
If someone who didn’t know you or your wife listened to one of your conversations,
what would the tone of your voice tell them? Would they say that you are kind and loving?
Cheerful and supportive? Warm and caring?
Let the tone of your voice radiate warmth, love, and care when you speak to your spouse.
Use grace-filled words and a tone of voice that says, “I love you.”
Now It’s Up to You
How will you encourage your spouse today? Have you thought of something?
Come on. I know you can do it.Have you practiced your tone?
Great. Now, encourage your spouse with that loving tone before falling asleep tonight.