How should I respond to a wife who has a tendency to resort to violence? Once or twice a year my spouse and I have a disagreement that escalates out of control. At such times she says the meanest, most irrational things about me, including "I hate you." I have always remained calm and have never responded in kind, but this only enrages her to the point of violence. She throws things at me, even tries to hit and kick me or knee me in the crotch. So far I have not suffered serious injury, but I worry about what might happen if there were a knife or some other weapon handy. She's a pleasant and loving Christian woman most of the time, which makes it difficult for others to believe me or take my situation seriously. Am I overly concerned? What should I do?