08 Jul Happy Husband, Happy Home
I think we’d all agree about the sad reality that traditional families are not the norm anymore. We’ve got the stats to prove it. 33 percent of Texas homes and 40 percent of Victoria homes are led by single parents. 58 percent of children are born into single-parent homes and 95 percent of single parents don’t attend church.
Now, let me be clear about something: Single parents are some of the people that I respect most in the world. I have many in my congregation whom I admire for how they raised incredible children all by themselves. I’m giving these facts to prove this point: relationships are hard. They just are. But if handled well, they can be the most fulfilling part of our lives on this side of heaven. Let me start by saying that this article is directed more toward the wives (guys, you’ll get your turn next week!). Because I recognize how important your role is in keeping a happy home, and as a man, I know how important of a part your husband’s feelings play in this.
Ephesians 4:29 gives us the first key to building a happy environment. It says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
What we speak creates the environment that we live in. So, if we speak negative words to and over our spouse, we’ll reap a negative environment. But if we choose positive words—words that build—our environment will be filled with peace. We get the second key a chapter later, in Ephesians 5:23-24. It says, “For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body. And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands just as the church submits itself to Christ.”
The second key? Submit. I know what you’re thinking. Submit is not a word we like to use, and it’s a word that has often been misused. So let me clear it up for you. Am I saying to submit to your husbands regarding things that are unbiblical? Absolutely not. Am I saying to act as their slaves? No. What I’m saying I simple: live every day with predictable honor toward them.
Submission is honoring his mission. When he feels honored and respected, he will be happy. And when he is happy, your home will be happy.
So wives, let’s stop and take a quick inventory of your relationship. What kind of words do you use—ones that build or ones that tear down? How well are you submitting to and honoring your husband’s mission? I encourage you to think about that this week. Make an effort to honor your husband and submit to his mission. You don’t have to be a statistic; you can have a happy home!