Five Ways to Show Respect and Honor to Your Man - Melanie Redd

Even though it was many years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.

We were meeting in our monthly small group session in someone’s home. The food was wonderful and the fellowship was sweet.

After dinner, the group decided to play a game of Trivial Pursuit – the husbands versus the wives.

There was a lot of teasing and competition in the game. It was loud and raucous. Both sides scored points and had a lot of fun.

However, in the heat of the battle, something UGLY emerged.

One of the wives (who I’ll call Angela) in our group began to speak disrespectfully to and about her husband. In front of the entire group, she showed complete disdain for her man.

We were all uncomfortable as the night went on.

And, Angela’s husband (who we’ll call Billy) looked like he was about to die. There was a sadness in his eyes even as he tried to laugh it all off. Indeed, he was hurting over the barbs that his wife was throwing at him.

Angela’s disrespect was killing her husband and her marriage.

Eventually, the couple did get a divorce. Their marriage could not take the constant insults and lack of respect.

So, what’s the big deal with respect?

Why does it matter so much in relationships—especially to the men in our lives?

So, what’s the big deal with respect? Click To Tweet

If you read the Bible, you’ll find an interesting pattern. Regularly, men are encouraged to love their wives. (Ephesians 5:25, 28; Colossians 3:19)

God knew that this would be something they would need to be intentional about.

However, women are never told to love their men.

That just comes naturally for us.

Instead, we are exhorted many times to respect our men. The Bible instructs us to show honor to our guys. (Ephesians 5:33; 1 Peter 3:1-6)

The Amplified Bible sums Ephesians 5:33 up this way:

“However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being in a sense] his very own self;

and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].”

Truly, it is sometimes very easy for us, as women to show great honor and respect for the men in our lives.

Conversely, respect is harder on certain days and in certain situations.

There are times when your man will bug you, bother you, hurt you, or make you want to lash out. All of us have these moments.

It’s a choice really.

To love a man is to be willing to find ways to honor him no matter how you feel or what is going on. You can choose to be honorable no matter the situation.

To love a man is to be willing to find ways to honor him no matter how you feel or what is going on. You can choose to be honorable no matter the situation. Click To Tweet

I’ve found a SECRET that works for our marriage relationship. Maybe this will help you as well.

I’ve found a secret that works for our marriage relationship. Maybe this will help you as well. Click To Tweet

When my husband does something I don’t like or makes a decision I’m not crazy about, I tell God about it. In fact, I “tattle” on him to God. Why? Because the Creator of this Universe is the only one who can truly change my man.

Indeed, God is the only one who can transform my husband. I will never be able to do this!

Sure, I make appeals, suggestions, and have discussions with my man. But, my harshest criticisms are only heard in my prayer closet. God can take my situation and do something about it.

So, what if this year, you and I decided to tell our husband the good things and talk over our biggest heartaches and disappointments with Father God?

What if we began to let God do the heavy lifting in our relationships?

What if we began to let God do the heavy lifting in our relationships? Click To Tweet

What if we intentionally sought to show respect and honor for our men and left the renovating and remodeling work to God?

1 Peter 4:19 reminds us to, “entrust (our) souls to a faithful Creator while continuing to do good.”

Shhhh!

Ask him what he thinks and really listen to him. You may be absolutely blown away by the wisdom he shares!

This is the person who loves you most and likely knows you best.

Even if your man doesn’t walk with Jesus, there is protection and wisdom in hearing him out. God designed things this way!

A helpful relationship tidbit: Listen more closely. You may learn something!

Listen more closely. You may learn something! Click To Tweet

Don’t quarrel.

Don’t react.

And, don’t lose your temper.

Instead, try to respond with patience, kindness, and consideration.

Here is one tactic that can help… try to restate what he has just said. Clarify his thoughts with him.

If he says he doesn’t think you should take the job or spend the money, try to discover why he feels this way.

Ask questions, dig a little deeper, and try to really grasp his perspective.

A helpful relationship tidbit: Count to 10 before you say anything. This will calm your heart and possibly prevent an argument.

Ask questions, dig a little deeper, and try to really grasp his perspective. Click To Tweet

Be so careful what you say to and about your man—especially in front of the kids.

If you treat your man with disrespect and disdain, you are teaching your children to do the same.

But, if you show him honor in front of your kids, they will learn to honor him as well.

A helpful relationship tidbit: Speak to and about your man the way you want your man to speak to and about you.

If I have a pet peeve regarding relationships, this is it. I really, really, really hate it when women talk ugly about their men in public.

It makes everyone feel so uncomfortable when a woman begins to belittle her partner in front of everyone else.

Try to guard against this habit.

Yes, it can be tempting at times. Sometimes our man will do something cringe-worthy.

But, love covers. Love is not provoked. (1 Cor. 13:4-5)

A helpful relationship tidbit: Next time the door opens for you to say something sarcastic or cruel to your man in front of others, close your mouth and bite your tongue.

Next time the door opens for you to say something sarcastic or cruel to your man in front of others, close your mouth and bite your tongue. Click To Tweet

When we were attending marriage counseling as an engaged couple, our counselor gave us the most wonderful advice.

He suggested that when we were angry with or hurt by each other, we should NOT go dump on our family and friends.

Why? Because long after we would forgive each other, our friends and family would still be upset. They would have taken up an offense that would be difficult to forgive.

Instead, he advised us to pray about our disagreements, talk them out with each other, and (when needed) seek the counsel of a wise older friend or mentor.

Absolutely, we sometimes need to discuss our relationship issues with someone other than our spouse. However, there is a big difference between complaining and sincerely working through an issue.

A helpful relationship tidbit: Be so careful where and what you air outside of your relationship. Choose your words wisely. Also, choose your listeners wisely.

Be so careful where and what you air outside of your relationship. Choose your words wisely. Click To Tweet

I realize that some of you may be in a horrible relationship situation right now.

Or, your relationship may be a complete mess.

In addition to what I shared in this article, I want to encourage you to reach out for help if you are struggling.

• Tell at least one trusted friend about what is going on. Ask them to pray.
• I’ll pray too. You can send me an email at hope@melanieredd.com.
• Seek the professional help of a Christian counselor or pastor.
• And, if you are in danger, please call for help today. One site I found is the National Domestic Abuse Hotline website.

Do you find respect an easy thing to practice?

What tips or suggestions would you like to share?

Live In Light is every girl’s guide to tackling their teenage years with the wisdom and comfort of the Bible. From navigating the pressure to be “perfect” on social media to dating and dealing with frenemies, these 5-minute devotionals help you to become the woman that both you and God want you to be.

Inside these teen devotionals for girls, you’ll find:

• 5-minute devotionals—Bring the Bible into your day at any moment with quick and practical readings.
• Relatable Scripture—Unpack lessons from the Bible with anecdotes you can apply to your daily life.
• A spiritual toolkit—Relate God’s words to challenges and topics like social media, body image, self-worth and more.

In a world filled with change, this book offers unwavering guidance to live under the bright light of faith.

Discover more on Amazon at Live in Light.

Then, would you share this article with a friend, co-worker, or family member?

Or, maybe you can send it to a friend or family member?

This blog occasionally uses affiliate links and may contain affiliate links. Additionally, Melanie Redd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Also, for more on my disclosure policy, click HERE.

© Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope, 2019. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner are strictly prohibited. Further, excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Melanie Redd and Ministry of Hope with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.