A wife may be confused if her husband vacillates between extremes- courteous one minute, critical the next.
{ compare James 3:10}

Furthermore, if her husband is an adequate material provider,
a wife who is the target of harsh speech may feel guilty for thinking that something is wrong in the marriage.

She may even blame herself for her husband's conduct.
" Just like a physical battered wife, " confesses one woman,
" I always used to think it had something to do with me,"

Says another wife,
I was lead to believe if I would just try harder to understand him and be " patient' with him I would find peace."

Sadly, the mistreatment often continues.
It is indeed tragic that many husbands misuse their power by dominating the women they may have vowed to love and cherish.
{ Genesis 3:16}

But what can be done about such a situation ?