But What About Me?

Something to think about. . .

My Husband is:

One hundred percent sold-out for Christ, a great provider, a loving man, firm in his authority, and wonderfully handsome. . .

If he lacked any of these qualities, would I still respect him?

Having these qualities, do I respect him?

Is honoring my Husband conditional or based upon my mood?

Is it something he should earn?

What does God's word say?

"So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." -Ephesians 5:33

"In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives." -I Peter 3:1-2

Mmmm, as much as my flesh wants to cry out at times, "But what about me?! What about when my feelings are hurt or if I'm angry or if he's just completely wrong?!" Well, I notice that there are no conditions listed (as in whenever I feel like it!) on my respect or reverence for my Husband. Check out the Amplified Bible's translation of these verses:

"However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly]." -Ephesians 5:33

"IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives, When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband]." -I Peter 3:1-2

WOW! That's a lot to take in. As I read these verses, the Holy Spirit convicts my heart and I know I must submit to the Truth. It doesn't matter how I "feel" or what the circumstances are, or who was right or wrong. Respect, honor, submission to my Husband is what the Lord expects of me. It is part of my "reasonable service" as a married daughter of the Most High God.

Why does God expect this from me? Ephesians 5:22 says, "Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as [a service] to the Lord." The submission, the honor, the respect, the reverence, is all for the glory of God. It is one of the most precious ways I can serve and worship the Lord. Sure there are times when that reverence spills out and overflows from a real and sincere love for my Husband.

However, it is during the difficult times that the true attitude of my heart's worship is reflected in my behavior. I must remember my behavior and attitude toward my Husband is directly linked to my attitude about my service to the Lord. What does my heart reflect when I'm stressed or when I'm discouraged or when things aren't going the way I planned? Am I glorifying God through the way I treat my Husband?

Is it always easy to be respectful? No. Is it always glamorous? No. Am I perfect at this? NO!! Even still, it is my prayer that the Lord will continue to refine me and mold me in this area. I pray that I'll never be too smug that I can't grow. I pray that my heart for the Lord is reflected in my behavior toward my Husband (in Jesus' Name, Amen!)

Remain encouraged, Ladies!!!


This post is linke HERE @ RaisingHomemakers. . .
 Raising Homemakers

. . . and also HERE @ GoodMorningGirls.

Comments

  1. Very wise words. Thank you for sharing.

    Have a blessed day.

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  2. Thank you, Lori.
    Enjoy your day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Stacie this is a great article! You've written a lot to ponder. I too have to pray the Lord continually helps me grow in this area.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Debbie. Thanks for your sweet words. This is such a delicate subject, but I know God is faithful!

    Taker care.

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  5. Stacie,

    Your post truly touched my heart. You have given me SO much to think about, that I think my head is going to "explode," but that's okay, I always need refinement. :)

    Thank you!

    -Lady Rose

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  6. Hi Lady Rose,

    Please. . .don't explode! :o)
    Thanks so much for your kind words. Be encouraged. . .I'm right there with you on the refinement. God bless us both!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Stacie!

    "Refine/Refinement"... This word has been etched in my heart from you post. I needed to read this today. Thank you(:

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  8. Hi Gertha! It's good to hear from you. Thanks for your comment and you are welcome (to God be the glory).

    I need to be refined (in many areas, really!) and I have to learn to accept when God is doing just that.

    Take care.

    ReplyDelete

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