Early in our marriage, my wife told me several times that she had challenges with a coworker. I felt terrible for my wife. I wanted her to love her job, and this situation stood in the way. Because this was an ongoing situation, I offered her some of what I believed to be good advice.
I said, “I know you don’t like confrontation, but having a difficult, five-minute conversation might pay off in the long run.” Whether this was good advice or not, it was clear she didn’t want it because she made the same face she makes when something in the fridge smells iffy. I now know that what she wanted was empathy. I’ve learned that when she is upset, concerned, or angry, empathy is my best response. If she wants my advice, she will ask. Here’s the great news: Empathy in marriage is way simpler than trying to convince, cajole, or even encourage your wife out of her emotions. Here are 7 one-liners for when your wife is hurting.
