There are a lot of generalizations about the differences in the sexes. Men are from Mars, and women are from Venus. Men are like waffles, and women are like spaghetti. Women are too emotional. All men want is sex. What is the truth? How do you sort through all the information out there and use it to understand your spouse?
If you really want to understand your mate, then you need to begin with understanding how God created men and women and the differences in their makeup. When you understand how and why each of you responds to the world the way you do, you can begin to relate to each other better, as well as develop a deeper appreciation for one another. With this in mind, we have hand-selected some of our best content on understanding the differences between the sexes for this Growth Plan series.
Review this content together and use it as a discussion starter. Are you and your spouse as these posts describe, or are you different? Do these posts give you insight into each other? Do they help you understand yourself a little better? By the end of this series, you will be able to use what you have learned to pray for and relate to each other in a way that really resonates and strengthens your relationship.
If you want to understand your mate, then you probably need to go back to the beginning with Adam and Eve.
When you consider the unique design God used to create both men and women, it’s no wonder we don’t behave the same way!
There is no doubt about it—women are much more complex than men.
To understand your mate, you must begin by understanding what motivates his or her actions and reactions.
Men tend to value respect above all else, but what exactly does this look like? As a woman, how can you show it to your husband?
When you remember that a woman’s persona is intricately connected to her emotions, it’s easier to understand why she reacts as she does.
If you know where your mate is coming from, then you can better understand his or her actions. And greater understanding facilitates greater security in your relationship.
Unpack the important issue of intimacy by exploring its emotional and physical elements and how it differs from a man’s and a woman’s perspective.
Intimacy is a crucial aspect of a marital relationship, and both men and women struggle with it in different ways.
Both men and women have unwanted, intrusive thoughts that can skew their thinking and wreak havoc on intimacy.
Physical intimacy is more important to a man than almost anything else (aside from being respected). For most women, however, sex is a response to emotional intimacy.
Just as men and women were created differently, respond differently, and have different ideas of intimacy, they also communicate differently.
Like almost everything else in her life, a woman’s communication skills (and struggles) center around her emotions.
The secret to understanding your mate lies in understanding each other’s “love needs” —in other words, discovering your mate's built-in marriage manual.
