Theme of the Week: Marriage
Bible Verse: “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 3:1-7
Every weekend I make a to do list. Generally, there are routine things on the list, things that must be accomplished every weekend. Occasionally, I get ambitious and put a larger project on the list. Then I do my best to accomplish that list. I try to stay disciplined and productive. Sometimes, not too often, I get everything checked off. Oddly, those are weekends that never seem to go well.
The problem is that it is my list and my priorities and my time spent getting them done. I haven’t at all considered the others in the house. Consideration is a key component to a healthy relationship. It should go without saying that if you are not thinking about the other person, the relationship is in a bit of trouble.
This is Peter’s instruction: be considerate. The root of that word is easy enough to identify, consider. To consider is to spend time thinking carefully about something. As husbands our job is to spend time thinking about our wives. What is good for them, how we can help them, how we can pursue their growth in Christ.
Peter says that we do this so that nothing will hinder our prayers. It’s tempting to think of this as a spiritual issue. That if we are not considerate of our wives, some sort of spiritual forcefield will envelop us and keep our prayers from reaching God. It may be a little more practical than that.
Have you ever tried to pray when there is a relational hiccup between you and your wife? It’s difficult. When there is strife in the home almost everything becomes difficult, even the routine things. Our minds are someplace else; we are distracted. When we are not considerate of our wives, it shows. We are selfish and a host of other traits that go with it. But when we think of them, about them, and for them, our homes reflect the peace that comes from mutual consideration and our prayer life can flourish.
Think about your wife.
Prayer: Jesus, it is sometimes hard to see the connections between my actions and the consequences. Help me to see where my deeds are making my home a difficult place to be. Help me to consider my wife and what it means to love her.
Reflection: How often are you doing your list? How can you show consideration to your wife today?
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