You don’t have to feel threatened by trapped feelings – just respond with love.
Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada. Have you ever felt trapped in a relationship? I know my husband has. Shortly after we were married, he was struggling with the 24/7 routines of my quadriplegia. And one night he confessed, “Joni, I feel trapped.” Angry, I spat out, “Well where was your head when we got married? Didn’t you know it was going to be like this?” I knew it was the wrong thing to say, but we were young and I was blind then to all the sacrifices Ken was making for me. Many years later when Ken had to give me extra care because of my chronic pain, he again confessed he was feeling trapped. But this time I said, “Oh, sweetheart, I don’t blame you one bit. If I were in your position, I would feel exactly the same.” It was a huge turning point in our marriage and evidence that you don’t have to feel threatened by trapped feelings. Just respond with love.
© Joni and Friends