The Narrow Road

I believe most women truly desire to respect their husbands. And most men want to be honored and respected by their wives. So why do we as women sometimes become controlling, or worse yet, critical of our husbands?

Perhaps you’ve struggled with this tension in your marriage. I think we’d agree that honor in the marriage relationship is a good thing.  And deep down inside we instinctively know that it just plain feels right to respect our husbands—to believe the best about them.

In Genesis 2:18, God created us to be our husband’s helper, or ezer, a source of rock-like strength and support. But we can also choose to use that strength to work against our husband, robbing him of strength and confidence.

I’ve wondered whether we’ve lost sight of the importance of respect?  Perhaps a lack of honor could be at the core of many divorces.

Honor doesn’t just happen. It goes against the grain of our culture.  Disrespect, on the other hand, takes very little energy. It’s the path of least resistance. Honor is a narrow road.  It requires strength and intentionality.

Dare to take the first step by honoring your husband even before he honors you.

I’ve never forgotten this tidbit of common-sense wisdom from a dear friend who had been married over sixty years.  It went something like this:  “Don’t be afraid to be the one who loves the most.”  The same could be said of honor.  Don’t be afraid to be the one who honors the most.