Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

New Wineskins

Home
Evangelical
How Husbands Can Show LOVE To Their Wives

How Husbands Can Show LOVE To Their Wives

Last updated on: November 6, 2014 at 8:21 am by Josh Daffern

How Husbands Can Show LOVE To Their Wives 2014-11-06T08:21:03-06:00 Josh Daffern

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Ephesians 5:33 says, “However, each one of you [husband] also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

In his book Love and Respect, Dr. Emerson Eggerichs shares practical ways that husbands can show love to their wives. Buy his book for more ideas, but here are the highlights:

Closeness. She wants you to be close. Your wife feels close to you when . . .

You hold her hand.
You hug her.
You are affectionate without sexual intentions.
You are with her alone so you can focus on each other and laugh together.
You go for a walk or jog . . . or anything that results in togetherness.
You seek her out . . . set up a date night . . . eat by candlelight.
You go out of your way to do something for her, like run an errand.
You make it a priority to spend time with her.
You are aware of her as a person with a mind and opinions . . . let her know you enjoy discussing things with her and getting her insights.
You suggest the unexpected . . . get takeout and each on the beach . . . take a walk to see the full moon . . . park on the bluff and watch the sunset.
You pillow talk after making love . . . lie close with your arm around her and share feelings and intimate ideas . . . and never turn on SportsCenter or Nightline.

Openness – She wants you to open up to her. Your wife feels you are open to her when . . .

You share your feelings, telling about your day and difficulties.
You say, “Let’s talk,” ask her what she’s feeling, and ask for her opinions.
Your face shows you want to talk – relaxed body language, good eye contact.
You take her for a walk to talk and reminisce about how you met or perhaps you talk about the kids and problems she may be having with them.
You pray with her.
You give her your full attention . . . no grunting responses while trying to watch tv, read the newspaper, or write e-mails.
You discuss financial concerns, possible job changes, or ideas for your future.

Understanding – Don’t try to “fix” her; just listen. She’ll feel you’re trying to understand her when . . .

You listen and can repeat back what she said.
You don’t try to “fix her problems” unless she specifically asks for a solution.
You try to identify her feelings.
You never dismiss her feelings, no matter how illogical they may seem to you.
You say, “I appreciate you sharing that with me.”
You don’t interrupt her when she’s trying to tell you how she feels.
You apologize and admit when you were wrong.
You cut her some slack during her monthly cycle.
You see something that needs to be done and you do it without a lot of hassle.
You express appreciation for all she does: “Honey, I could never do your job.”
You pray with her and for her.

Peacemaking – She wants you to say, “I’m sorry.” She’ll feel at peace with you when . . .

You let her vent her frustrations and hurts and don’t get angry and close her off.
You admit you are wrong and apologize by saying, “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
You understand her natural desires to negotiate, compromise, and defer, and you meet her halfway.
You try to keep your relationship “up-to-date,” resolving the unresolved and never saying, “Forget it.”
You forgive her for any wrongs she confesses.
You never nurse bitterness and always reassure her of your love.
You pray with her after a hurtful time.

Loyalty – She needs to know you’re committed. She is assured of your loyalty when . . .

You speak highly of her in front of others.
You are involved in things important to her.
You help her make decisions, such as ones regarding the children.
You don’t correct her in front of the children.
You don’t look lustfully at other women.
You make her and your marriage a priority.
You are never critical of her or your children in front of others.
You include her in social gatherings when others may leave their spouses home.
You tell the kids, “Don’t speak to your mother that way!”
You call and let her know your plans.
You keep commitments.
You speak positively of her and the children at all times.

Esteem – She wants you to honor and cherish her. Your wife will feel esteemed when . . .

You say, “I’m so proud the way you handled that.”
You speak highly of her in front of others.
You open the door for her.
You try something new with her.
You give her encouragement or praise with kindness and enthusiasm.
You notice something different about her hair or clothes.
You are physically affectionate with her in public.
You teach the children to show her and others respect.
You value her opinion in the gray areas as not wrong but just different – and valid.
You choose family outings over “guy things.”
You make her feel first in importance.
You are proud of her and all she does.

Tomorrow I’ll share practical ways that wives can show respect to their husbands.

Previous Post

November 5, 2014

The Church and the Republican Party

Next Post

November 7, 2014 How Wives Can Show RESPECT To Their Husbands

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Family Matters Ministry in the Trenches Morning Brew MTVpastor New Wineskins Top Menu Truth from Life Uncategorized Watch Sermons

Select a Month June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does "Levi" mean in Hebrew?

Select your answer to see how you score.

God is my strength Chosen Joined Set apart