“Each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33).
Do you and your husband respect each other? Everyone needs respect in order to function at their best level. I didn’t understand how much I valued and needed respect until I didn’t have it.
One summer, to make money for college, I got a job doing very menial work. It was a good experience. It taught me how miserable it is to be treated like a nobody.
Husbands and fathers have a deep need to be respected by their families, especially their wives. Men can undergo many hardships if they feel their wives hold them in high esteem.
You see, it doesn’t matter what kind of a job your husband has. What matters is the kind of person he is. Wives need to let their husbands know that they respect him because of who he is, not because of what he does.
How can you show a man you respect him? Never demean him verbally in front of the children, your parents or your friends. Daily, give him compliments in front of other people. Consult him. Follow his advice. Let him know his opinion is important to you. As frequently as you can, go along with his plans.
If you are having trouble doing this, you are not alone. It is hard. But Jesus wants you to succeed. Ask him to help you. Blessing always follows obedience.
Kimberly Snider is a missionary to the Philippines
From “Moments for Moms,” a free email subscription.
Copyright (c) 2003 Women’s Ministries of the Assemblies of God. http://www.ag.org/womensministries