“ So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11, TLB).

     Unfortunately, we too often take those closest to us for granted. Christian Psychologists, Les and Leslie Parrot claim, “Building one another’s self-esteem is an essential component of a happy marriage, but it can be easy to fall into a rut where we stop affirming one another in meaningful ways.” Finding a realistic way to encourage your life partner will enrich any marriage.

     Each of us fell in love with our spouse because of certain qualities they possess that we found attractive. Therefore, the easiest way to affirm one another is to pay compliment to these strengths, such as beauty, intelligence, and hard work. “Gosh, you really amazing today,” can be a remark that not only elevates a wife’s spirit, it can also strengthen the level of a couple’s emotional bond.

     In addition to complimenting each other’s positive attributes follows the practice of lifting one another’s esteem in the face of personal insecurities. If your wife is experiencing difficulty at work, express to her your confidence that with God’s help she will discover a breakthrough. When your husband expresses frustration because he cannot spend as much time with the family as he wants, let him know how much you appreciate his thoughtful concern.