What Every Married Man Should Know

Sometimes men marry for the wrong reasons. The bond between a man and a woman is one which goes beyond most emotional bonds; if respect is included. A man leaves his parents in search of a mate, but sometimes he's also looking for someone to replace his mother.

Matthew 19:5 states: "For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they twain shall be one flesh." I believe this verse states the premise for a good marriage: one flesh. However, men must keep in mind at all times that men and women are uniquely different creatures.

Early years

When entering into a marriage men should be aware that respect should be the same for both partners. Men who've been catered to (before they were married) will also expect this "spoiling" to continue throughout their marriage, and in some cases this will not be an option.

As the marriage continues and children are brought into the picture, the whole ball game changes. Now, you're no longer the center of your wife's attention; someone else is. Are your ready to deal with this shared attention, and also experience many times of "no attention?" Men should understand that the needs of "both" parents are put after the needs of their children. Jealousy sometimes comes into play when children are brought into the picture.

A husband must be able to deal with changing emotions of both the wife and the children. He must be able to expect "almost" nothing, and accept what the day has left for him. But on the other side of the coin a good marriage can manifest a love like no other if the man remains in the picture.

After pregnancy men should understand that women's emotions are now even more changeable than they were before. This is another stage in life that you must also be able to adapt to. This is the stage in your wife's life when she needs you the most. You must be able to communicate with your wife other than just when you're asking for sex. Open communication is always the key to a strong marriage.

Establishing the foundation

Sometimes, the husband is emotionally needed when he's also at a low emotional point, but he must be able to look past his personal needs. Actually, if a strong love is shared this act is done naturally from the heart.

Depression, anxiety and other destructive emotions can slip into the marriage "almost" unnoticed, so you must be able to recognize these emotions when they enter the picture. Men must be able to put their ego's aside "at least" when their families are concerned.

Now, if the marriage has survived and you're now both at mid-life, another change is getting ready to come into play: mid-life identity crises, and menopause. Sometimes you get them both, but you always get the latter.

Relax men, so far I think this is "one" of the last things which you'll have to adjust to. Menopause is different for each woman. Menopause can be a very emotional and confusing time for your wife; so now you'll need to put your feelings aside for awhile as this time "slowly" passes. The only thing worse you'll have to adapt to is the loss of your spouse, and this is a situation not discussed in this article.

A seasoned relationship

Sometimes staying in the "emotional picture" is hard to do for both partners. Tomorrow is a special landmark in our marriage; as we celebrate our twenty fifth anniversary. Getting to this point in our marriage has taught both of us to: adapt, adjust and overcome problems which come our way. We've learned to work as one when a problem arises. Men must realize that nothing is permanent; everything changes.

My wife has taught me more than I ever expected to learn in this life. She has turned out to be the only friend that I'll ever need. She's lifted my soul when it was down, and taught my heart what love truly is.

I know now, that I've shared this life with someone who is like no other. We've truly have grown to be one flesh, and sometimes that's scary. In the end the couple will grow old together living as one. Now, each of you has learned to serve each other like the branches of a tree; not because it's expected, but because you just want to.