How is it two people who have vowed to love each other get to the point where they refuse to talk for hours—or even days?Some may conclude,at least we stopped fighting!Still, the issue has not been resolved, and they both feel uncomfortable.
WHY DOES I OCCUR?Manipulation.There are some individuals who will use the silent treatment as a means to get what they want. Imagine that a husband and wife plan a trip and the wife would like to take her parents along. The husband objects. “You’re married to me, not to your parents,” he says. He then gives his wife the silent treatment, shunning her in the hope that she will break down and concede to his wishes.Retaliation. Some spouses use silence as a form of revenge.Suppose a husband makes weekend plans without consulting his wife,she finds out later and end up angry and calls him inconsiderate. He responds by calling her oversensitive. The wife storms off resort to silence. In effect, she implies, “You hurt me, so I am going to hurt you back.”Matter of fact, a temporary time-out can give a couple the chance to let emotions cool when an argument is getting out of hand.This kind of silence can be beneficial.There is “a time to keep quiet.” (Ecclesiastes 3:7) But when it is used as a means to retaliate or manipulate, the silent treatment not only prolongs conflict but also erodes the respect the couple have for each other
HOW CAN YOU END THIS? Recognize it for what it is
—a tactic that, at best, works only for short-period.True, not talking may quench your thirst for retaliation or compel your spouse to give in to your wishes. But is that really how you want to treat someone you have vowed to love? There obviously are better ways to deal with conflicts.
Be discerning. The Bible says that love “does not become provoked.” (1 Corinthians 13:4, 5) So don’t overreact and get emotionally hyped saying, “You never listen” or “You are always late.” Instead, discern the intent behind the words. For instance, “You never listen” might really mean “I feel as if you don’t take my viewpoint seriously.”—Bible REF: Proverbs 14:29
Think of your spouse as your teammate rather than an opponent DON'T SHOUT @ EACH OTHERArguments tend to escalate as they continue. On the other hand, you can change the direction of a heated discussion. How? The book Fighting for Your Marriage says: “Softening your tone and acknowledging your partner’s point of view are potent tools you can employ to diffuse tension and end escalation. Often that WORKS LIKE MAGIC
Think of “we” instead of “me.” The Bible says: “Let each one keep seeking, not his own advantage, but that of the other person.” (1 Corinthians 10:24) If you think of your spouse as your teammate rather than your opponent, you will be less likely to take offense, argue, and then refuse to talk to your spouse.—Bible REF: Ecclesiastes 7:9.
The silent treatment opposes the Bible’s admonition: “Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself; on the other hand, the wife should have deep respect for her husband.” (Ephesians 5:33) Why not make an agreement with your spouse that the silent treatment is unacceptable in your marriage?
