It’s often believed that a major uproar between husband and wife must be triggered by a huge act of betrayal. “You did what?! How could you?!” However, this is not the typical scenario.

More often, a major uproar is triggered by someone sitting on a ticking time bomb of emotions. “You left a mess and expected me to clean it up again?” “I told you it’s important that we leave on time; aren’t you ready yet???”

A ticking time bomb detonates with only the slightest provocation. It may appear to come from nowhere, but if you’d been aware of the bubbles brewing underneath the surface, you’d understand the reaction.

Let’s look at Marianne’s story:

“Certain things my husband does drive me crazy. I try to tell myself that what he does is not such a big deal. He’s a good man. He’s not an ax murderer. Or a cheat (not that I know of anyway). Or deliberately mean. But he does things that just don’t sit well with me. Like he says he’ll do something, then “forgets” to do it. He’s so sloppy. Always leaving his mess for me to clean up. He’s addicted to video games, spending the whole night playing them instead of being with me. I’ve told him dozens of times that these things bother me. His response: “Why do you always want to change me?”

I tell him I don’t want to change him; but I do want him to change some of his behavior. Can’t we at least talk about it? Well, apparently we can’t. Because it takes him two seconds to get upset and tell me I’m a control freak. I’m overreacting. Get a grip. So then instead of talking about his flaws, the conversation becomes all about what’s wrong with me.

He thinks I get upset too easily. He has no idea about the mental gymnastics I put myself through in an effort to calm myself down. I breathe deeply. I tell myself to just let it go. I turn myself inside out trying to find a way to talk to him so he’ll get it. And so I calm down – for awhile. But it’s so draining. And the problems don’t go away. Sooner or later, it all just gets to me and I explode. I wonder why he can’t show me more consideration. I wonder why he can’t at least try to change to please me. I do that for him. Why shouldn’t he do it for me? Isn’t that what’s supposed to happen in a loving relationship?“

Marianne’s been sitting on a ticking time bomb for years now. Though her “overreaction” may seem to come out of nowhere, it hasn’t. Even the most patient person can lose her patience. And every so often, Marianne loses hers. Then her stored-up anger comes spilling out. She’s had it with silencing herself. She’s had it with walking on eggshells. She’s had it with having her feelings dismissed. She’s done.

Her husband is appalled. “Who is this crazy lady? All of this venom because I left my dirty clothes on the floor? Are you a raving lunatic? What’s the matter with you?” He’s clueless about everything that’s been going on for her beneath the surface. He doesn’t have the slightest inkling of how frustrated she’s been feeling. He thinks of himself as a good guy. He goes to work. He doesn’t abuse her. He’s not interested in other women. Why can’t she just be satisfied with him?

She knows all this. He is a good man. But does he understand how some of his behavior adversely affects her? And if he knows, does he care or does he just shrug it off? Or does he say he’ll change, only to revert back to his same old patterns the very next week? One thing is certain. If nothing changes, then it’s only a matter of time till the next eruption.

Don’t be passive about significant relationships. If this scenario hits home, be proactive. Don’t wait till the next blowup. Actively work on your relationship. Create time to discuss the issues. Be open to change. If you find this too difficult to do, don’t hesitate to seek the expertise of a professional. Your marriage may depend on it.