Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Ephesians 5: 22-24, NIV.
Dear Heavenly Father and God, we come to You today in gratitude and humility of heart. Please teach us how to live lives of victory as we learn Your will. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
As we continue with our topic on the family, we have finally come to the devotionals dedicated to husbands and fathers. Our Scripture for today describes husbands in the following terms: “For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.” This description includes attributes of responsibility (head) and salvation (Savior). This is a mighty large hat to wear! But, in the same measure that much is expected of husbands and fathers, much help is also made available, to fathers, by God, the Father of all. For “all of God’s biddings are enablings”
This command shows how much confidence God has placed in man, by making him the head of his wife. In the human body, the head is the leader! It contains the brain that plans the moves of the body. It contains the eyes, that leads the body. It contains the mouth that feeds and strengthens, the entire body. Therefore, we could conclude that the father, is expected to provide wisdom, direction, and strength, for his wife and family! Submission, under these circumstances, are a delight!
Our Scripture also states that, “Christ is the head of . . . his body[.]” The church is described as the body of Christ, representing a oneness between Christ and the church. Husbands and wives, are also considered one, by Christ, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2: 24). The act of submission, on the part of the wife, when her opinion is taken into consideration at the time of making a decision, is not difficult. “Can two walk together except they be agreed” (Amos 3: 3)? When the wife submits to the wise decisions made by her husband, and follows his leading, she is strengthened. “United we stand, divided we fall.” “There is strength in unity!”
I would like to take this opportunity, to address our fathers and husbands, whom I respect and appreciate greatly. Men, women under normal circumstances, do not have a problem with being led. We are usually willing to have our husbands make the decisions for the family. Let us not lose sight however, of the fact, that women are given to detail, and very intuitive. Most men usually see only the big picture, to the oblivion of many important details. Your wife’s hesitation, might not be a lack of cooperation. Oftentimes, it is precaution. Just take the time to, respectfully, listen to her suggestions, and be willing to give them a try. We are not trying to prove ourselves right. We are usually trying to do the best for our families!
Submitting to a loving, understanding, husband, who respects our opinion, is not hard. However, the act of submission, on the part of a woman, is not a thoughtless, robotic, action. It is a well thought-out process, that is encouraged, by the love and respect of the person to whom she submits.
NOTE: These counsels are shared from a Biblical, not a clinical, perspective.