For most of us, love often takes center stage in our relationships and marriages, but there is a vital element that lies deep beneath love that deserves even greater attention: TRUST. We all want to have confidence and trust in our partners: trust that they will act in our best interest and will ultimately not be tray us. Love, while powerful, can be riddled with unrealistic expectations. Trust brings love to a whole new level. If we don’t fully trust our partners, that alone can slowly erode all the love we felt in the first place.
Have you thought about the trust between you and your partner lately? Are you hesitant to express your thoughts and feelings with your spouse? Are unresolved feelings festering beneath the surface? Is it because you believe they may judge you, or even reject you? If so, consider discussing your feelings. Let them know that you fear they will reject you or judge you. Love can only go so far if there’s a lack of open communication and honest sharing. Taking time to nurture trust can transform your connection. It can turn love from mere affection to a deep connection where both of you feel heard, valued, understood and trusted.
My husband Brian and I just recently had a conversation which revealed that we have both been feeling a bit fearful about openly sharing our thoughts and feelings. I won’t sugarcoat it. It was not an easy conversation. But it was so worth it! We deepened our trust and connection by openly addressing our trust issues, and rebuilding our confidence to share with one another safely.
Like I always say, all marriages have challenges. Mine, yours, and everyone else’s. When we face those challenges, the trust we have built becomes a powerful force. We become motivated to act in each other’s best interests even during our most challenging times. Trust nurtures love, allowing it to thrive. So, if you want to build trust, you must prioritize it! Learning how to create a safe space for sharing our thoughts, feelings and needs with our partners without fear of judgment or rejection is a must.
You can create trust by regularly having open and honest conversations, and by practicing active listening and empathy. The key is not to let things build up. More importantly, allow yourself to be vulnerable to your partner by sharing your fears, thoughts, insecurities and desires. Being authentic and vulnerable means something – actually, it means everything. Remember, although love adds warmth and passion to our lives, trust provides the security and stability needed for our relationships to endure the test of time.
