When You Criticize and He Withdraws, This is What’s Really Happening

Anger Itself Isn’t Always Wrong.

Does that mean Deborah’s husband was right to leave her at the restaurant? Does that mean your husband always handles his anger well? Not necessarily. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that the anger itself is wrong, either. Let me bring in a biblical perspective for a second. The bible says “in your anger do not sin.” It doesn’t say anger itself is a sin. There certainly is inappropriate anger, and any man who verbally or physically abuses his wife needs intervention, fast. But that isn’t usually the case.

Many wives don’t realize that their husband—like most men—interprets their critical comments as implying “you’ve failed.” They don’t realize that he probably feels humiliated. Well, now you know. And now you know that when you see anger on his part, it’s a signal of legitimate hurt.