Communication is a vital ingredient in any relationship, especially marriage. Married couples need to be in constant open, honest and loving communication towards each other if they want to keep their relationship going and even growing.
That said, what do you do when you and your spouse experience a communication breakdown in your marriage? Like, you don't talk to each other anymore and even treat each other like roommates in a dorm room. There's a problem there, and it needs to be solved!
To help you with that, here are a few things you can do to restore your communication.
1) Pray
Before anything else, take time to ask God for help in the matter. While we are told to make amends with others if we offend them before we come to God in prayer (see Matthew 5:23-24), we are also told that apart from God we can't do anything (see John 15:5). And so, choose to pray before attempting to approach your spouse.
Praying to God for help will bring you and your spouse benefits. Keep in mind that the Lord loves your spouse more than you can ever, and will be more than willing to help you in your marriage relationship (see Ephesians 3:20; Psalm 46).
2) Apologize to your spouse for the lack of communication
Next, approach your spouse with the intention of communicating. If a lack of communication is what's wrong, then sincere, honest and loving communication is what's needed for it to be made right and someone's got to take the first step!
Approach your spouse and apologize for not communicating. Regardless of whose fault it was that the communication got cut or muddled in the first place, both of you are wrong to simply shut up and not communicate at all.
Sincerely apologize to your spouse for not communicating. This time will also be a perfect time to ask what went wrong, so you can evaluate yourself.
If your spouse was the one who made a mistake and started the lack of communication, then forgive and ask what you can do. If you were the one who started clamming up, then be the first to open up and talk. All you need to do is communicate again with the intention to love. (see Ephesians 4:15)
3) Commit to communicate
Lastly, commit to communicate. If your spouse still doesn't want to talk, then you talk, or at least find ways to make your spouse talk to you, especially if you're the husband.
Leave notes on the refridgerator or on the door. Send text messages throughout the day. Give your spouse a call on the phone during lunchtime if you're not together at home. Let your spouse know that you are willing to make amends and work to making your marriage better than ever. (see Ephesians 5:1-2, 33)
