Status Updates From The Respect Dare: 40 Days t...

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. —Proverbs 12:16 NIV

When is the last time you saw your husband the way God sees him? Jesus died for him too. Why does God love your husband?

Be quick to listen and slow to become angry. In this way, you can avoid an argument and stay out of God’s way at the same time!

Wise women know that even if they might already have the right answer, they just need to be patient while they wait for God to teach their spouse.

Instead of paying attention to his inadequacies and perceived failures, I realized the truth that people can only really control their own behavior. When we focus on our behavior as we walk through our circumstances, instead of emphasizing other people’s failures and shortcomings, we can create changes that affect our relationships long-term.

An element of respect for Abraham girds Sarah’s behavior toward him when his lack of good judgment puts her in a situation where potential harm could come her way.

Now consider Peter. Jesus called him “The Rock” long before he became a man of great faith and power, when he was still mostly “paste and flour”! That is exactly what needs to happen in every marriage. Women need to affirm, encourage, and respect their husbands with their actions and words—

Respect is necessary even if he has not necessarily “earned it.” Respect is a concept that many if not most women struggle with, but one that God certainly understands. He afforded men in the Bible great respect long before they were worthy of it.

We need to stop praying “God, change my spouse” and start praying “God, change me.” When we do that, when we die to our own selfish interests, find contentment in our relationship with God, let go of the expectations we have of the other person and concentrate on giving to them, an amazing thing happens.