Respecting a Respectful Husband

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Respecting a Respectful Husband

by Barbara Rainey

Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see to it that she respect her husband.

Ephesians 5:33

Unfortunately, some men hear only Paul's words about women being submissive and take this as license to be domineering. It's impossible for a wife to submit to a man who doesn't respect her needs as a woman.

Every husband needs a wife who respects him. That means she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him and esteems him. From a negative point of view, not respecting your husband means to be insulting, critical, nonsupportive or passive towards him and his needs.

One way to respect your husband is to consider and understand the weight of his responsibilities as a servant/leader in the home. It is easy to look at your husband and see what is wrong instead of right. As someone once said, "Faults are like the headlights of your car, those of others seem more glaring." Your husband needs unconditional acceptance-faults and all.


Discuss: Ask your husband when he has most felt respected by you. Ask him why.

Pray: As a wife, ask God to grant you a better understanding of your husband's needs so that you will be able to know how to express your respect of him.

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Excerpted from "Moments Together for Couples" by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.
Used with permission. Copyright 1995 by Dennis and Barbara Rainey.