Help For Husbands

“Husbands…be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7

With rings, vows, and kiss exchanged, my brand-new husband joyfully escorted me down the aisle. At the steps outside the church, he said his first words as a married man, “That was easy!” (Fifteen years and three kids later, I smile and hope he still thinks so!)

He really was right. Getting married is easy. Being married can be a bit more challenging. Husbands have a huge job. Leading a family to know and follow God is a serious responsibility. The tasks of providing and guiding require great effort and energy. God knows wives can help husbands get along in life, so He helps husbands know how to get along with their wives! “Husbands, be considerate as you live with your wives…”

Be considerate. As you make the many choices of life – what to do, when to do it, where to go, whom to go with, what to say, how to say it – consider her. “Con” is a prefix that means “with.” The next part of consider is “side.” Live life with her at your side. Your wife won’t always be there physically, but you can continually keep her needs, desires, and feelings right beside your own. The two questions you should ask yourself before giving answers to others are, “Is this for God’s glory?” and “Is this best for my wife?”

“Be considerate… and treat her with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life…” Your wife needs your strength. She needs you to gently treat her as the precious treasure she is. God has given both of you His gracious gift of life. Live it together with Him.

By the way, if your wife doesn’t happen to be all you think she should be, please don’t wait for her to shape up before you step up. You will find her respect level rising as your consideration quotient increases.

Don’t try to not make her mad. Try to make her glad.
Consider what being considerate might do for both of you.


Time For A Little R&R

REFLECT
What and whom do you think about most when making decisions?
If you are a husband, would you consider yourself considerate of your wife?

RESPOND
Decide what you will do today to show how much you treasure your wife/husband.