By now you probably know that men and women think differently. They also respond to things differently. Because women are emotional, they have a hard time letting go of hurts and insecurities. Because men are situational, they can blow up over something, then crack jokes about it five minutes later. Men have a much easier time letting go of things.

But what happens when a man can’t let go? What happens when he gets into a “funk” about something (whether or not it relates to the relationship)? A woman doesn’t always understand his reaction and begins to fear that they are a few fights away from a divorce.

Today’s post looks more closely at gender differences and how they can affect a marriage. You and your spouse will learn how to identify these differences and discover ways to manage them before they become issues.

"Needing to Feel Permanently Loved" by FamilyLife

Pray
God, You are love. Because You have promised that You will never leave or forsake us, you have given us an example of love and security. Help us demonstrate this same kind of love and security to each other.

Reflect
How can I make my mate feel more secure in our relationship?

Respond
How do you create feelings of doubt in your relationship? What steps are you taking to help your mate feel more secure?

Security is a big deal. In fact, it is probably the main reason you want to understand each other better. If you know where your mate is coming from, then you can better understand his or her actions. And greater understanding facilitates greater security.

Another aspect of a secure relationship is intimacy. When you have security in your relationship, you aren’t afraid to let down the walls and become more intimate with one another. The upcoming post will begin a long look at intimacy and what it means for both men and women.