Somewhere between “Leave It To Beaver” and “Roseanne,” the whole concept of giving our husbands respect kind of went straight out the window, down the block and in the sewer.  What happened to wives that respected their husbands?  Okay, let’s not get this twisted - I’m not talking about being anyone’s doormat or robot. Ephesians 5:32-33 says that each husband should love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.  Isn’t it funny that right there in God’s word He doesn’t ask us to love our husband, but instead He tells us to respect him?  Oh, your husband still needs to see and feel your love, but I found this concept pretty interesting. Here we have God having to tell us to respect our husbands. 
We all know that women naturally are caring and giving - that’s just the way God wired us. But He took time out to make special mention for us to respect our husband.  God knew this wouldn’t come natural to us, but that we would have to put some effort into it.  But what do you do when he doesn’t hear you, or doesn’t show compassion, or doesn’t help around the house?  You still respect him. 

One of the things that we learned in our small group was that through respect men feel loved.  So how do we show respect?  The word says to “let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”  Speak to your husband with respect.  The hollering, jerking of the neck and screaming so the neighbors can hear does not work and, if anything, it shuts him down from hearing anything you say.  Speak to him with respect, seasoned with salt and let God move on his heart in your regard.  See, that’s the advantage of having God as our Father.  God hears every conversation and knows the meditation of our hearts.  By treating our husbands with respect, we allow God to do the work on them (and us!) to accomplish what God needs to accomplish. 

When you think about it, regardless of what occupation your husband holds, nothing can replace the respect he craves from his wife.  One place to start might be to just ask him what makes him feel respected.  (Prepare for the blank “deer in the headlights” stare.)  It could be something as simple as greeting him when he walks in the door (umm, yeah, without the phone attached to your ear), or it could be just asking his opinion about a decision you are trying to make.  Whatever it is that lets him know that you respect him, isn’t it worth a try?  See, the reality is that the enemy will use any crack to get in and destroy your marriage - even your husband not feeling respected.  It just might surprise you how he responds to you in love

Posted under Marriage