6 Ways to Overlook Your Spouse's Bad Habits
Chris and I have known each other for 23 years. We have been married eighteen of those years. After so many years, you would think that we have all the kinks worked out, right?Truth be told, there are still some things that we can’t seem to fix about each other. For example,
- Every time Chris drives my car, he will pull in and turn off the car without turning off the AC, radio, or any other electronic gadget that may be operating. Surely by now he grasps that this is an improper way to shut down a vehicle
- I have calculated that I have prepared at least 5000 dinners for Chris. My best estimate is that I have forgotten to bring the salt and pepper shakers to the table at least 4900 of those meals. I am not sure why, but I can’t seem to remember that some people like to put that stuff on their food.
- While we are on the food topic, I also disappoint Chris greatly because I failed to inherit his mother’s skill of cleaning up the kitchen as I cook. When we sit down to dinner at our house, it usually looks like there has been a small fire in our kitchen.
- I could go on, but I will end with the fact that according to Chris I am the slowest human being to get out of a car. I think he might be right. I can’t count the number of times he has gotten out of a car and locked the doors only to realize he has just locked me in!
- We can all identify annoying habits of the people we love. But what do you do to keep from allowing the habit to create tension in the relationship?
May I suggest six things to keep you from harping on your spouse’s bad habit?
1. When face to face with your husband’s weaknesses, MAKE yourself think through his strengths. We fall in love with our spouses’ strengths… keep your focus there!2. Learn to laugh with your spouse about your weaknesses.3. Embrace the fact that your spouse truly needs you to complete him in this area… sometimes it is good to know you are needed, right?4. Remember one of your own specific shortcomings and think how you want those closest to you to deal with your imperfections.5. Be sure that confession is a part of your prayer life daily. It is amazing how when we acknowledge our sin that we begin to approach others with more humility and understanding.6. Choose to believe the best about your spouse at all times, but especially when those annoying habits seem to repeat themselves.There are many things that Chris and I will never change about the other, but by God’s grace we have learned to overlook each other’s shortcomings and to believe the best about each other. Don’t let things like lost keys, toilet seat lids, and laundry piles rob your marriage of the joy that is found in doing life together. You are on the same team!