3 Things Wives Need in MarriageSample

Lead

Husbands, your wife needs you to be a leader in the home. We just do. It’s proven that families, where the father/husband attends church, are more successful, and the faith of the family members lasts longer. You were created to lead your wife and your family. It's your God-given responsibility. Use it well: lead her to Jesus.

We see in Ephesians 5:25-30 that just as Christ is the head of the church, He ordained husbands as the head of the home. His leadership looked like sacrifice and service. He was steadfast in prayer, even to the point of death. He was an example of leadership in his relationships.

We read in Luke 2 that even as a child, Jesus knew His responsibility was to worship the Father. He stayed behind in the temple after his family had left. When confronted, He didn’t get defensive, He stood firm in His position with grace, love, and kindness. The world will tell you that you have other obligations that should take priority. Be firm in knowing your call and use your position to lovingly lead those God entrusted to you.

This could go terribly wrong if you use leadership as an opportunity to feed your pride and attempt to lead from a posture of power rather than love. Craig Groeschel says it this way, “The biggest myth about leadership is that you have to be in charge in order to lead.” Jesus didn’t lead by barking orders and controlling schedules. He came alongside real people and offered truth and love in all that He did. When he met the woman at the well in John 4, Jesus didn’t force her honesty. He didn’t shun her for her current lifestyle. He didn’t offer her a “band-aid” for her problems. Instead, He revealed who He was and offered her hope and life-sustaining water.

Husbands, you too, can come alongside your wife and point her to Jesus. Point your family to Jesus. You can offer truth and grace in all that you do. You can remind them where true life is found.

Wives, you have to be willing to be led. We have to take a posture of humility and openness so that our husband feels respected and confident enough to lead. If you aren’t feeling led, be open about that with your husband. Pray for God to move through your husband and prepare your heart to come under his leadership. When he takes steps of leadership, be appreciative and encouraging, not critical. Check your heart to make sure you’re not comparing him to anyone else or to an idealized notion of leadership.

Prayer:

Lord, we pray that you help us to understand and value the positions you have placed us in- within our marriages. Leadership is a quality and an expectation from husbands, and wives are called to encourage that in their men. May we be kind and graceful with one another as we navigate what leadership looks like in our marriage, and may we invite you in for the wisdom and guidance we need to press onward.