Respect matters to him.

“However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband” Ephesians 5:33, ESV.

I come from a long history of women that are argumentative and combative. Women who are quick to speak their mind and make you feel like it’s either their way or the highway. They are sharp-tongued, and it doesn’t take much to set them off. But a lot of the women in my family are also divorced or had long relationships that ended badly. Every now and then, in my marriage, I see that same spirit try to rise up in me with my husband. Sometimes I’ve let it get the best of me, but thankfully, God has helped me learn His wisdom and learn His ways of doing things. 

My sister, here’s some wisdom… 

If your husband ever says he felt disrespected by something you said or did, listen to him. Don’t become defensive, and don’t give any excuses for your actions or reasons why. Don’t use it as an opportunity to say, “Well, I felt disrespected too when you…” Look him in the eyes with sincerity in your voice and say, “I understand that you feel disrespected by what I said. I understand you feel disrespected by what I did, and I apologize for disrespecting you,” and leave it there. 

As a woman of God, you have a decision to make every time your husband opens his heart to you. You can choose to be combative and fight with him, or you can listen to him and be understanding. You get to decide how you will respond. 

Prayer: Father God, forgive me for every time I’ve disrespected and dishonored the man you’ve placed in my life. Help me, Lord. Teach me how to be a loving and understanding wife, not a combative wife that has to get my way. Help me learn your wisdom and your way of doing things. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

(Read James 1:19; Proverbs 31:11; Proverbs 14:1)