It's common for couples to have unspoken "rules" in their relationship — silent agreements about topics that are off-limits or feelings that should be downplayed. You might assume that avoiding certain conversations keeps the peace, but it can also create distance. Proverbs 15:1 reminds us that "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger," suggesting the power of tone and approach in opening rather than closing conversations.
Check-in: Reflect on a topic you and your partner typically avoid discussing. What is at the heart of that avoidance, and what might change if you approached it with a tender and open mind instead?