(Prov 27:15 CEV) The steady dripping of rain and the nagging of a wife are one and the same.
This morning we continue our “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God” series. Like I stated yesterday, the book of Proverbs is full of divine counsel regarding relationships. Here Solomon, once again, gives us counsel concerning our marriage. Back in chapter 21 Solomon said, “It’s better to stay outside on the roof of your house than to live inside with a nagging wife” (21:9). Here Solomon compares a nagging wife to the irritating and unrelenting drop after drop of an unwanted and unwelcomed leak. Have you ever had a leaky roof? The drips keep coming and there is not much you can do until you physically get up on the roof to address the issue. You can get buckets to catch the water, but the containers only hold but so much. The leak is unceasing the buckets offer but a temporary solution. You never get peace until you can actually STOP the leak. Wow, what a picture? As a believer you should never do anything to cause your spouse to compare you to this. You should be a source of comfort, strength, and support for your spouse, not a source of annoyance, aggravation and frustration.
Back in chapter 18 Solomon said, “The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favor from the LORD” (18:22). Your spouse can and should be a blessing to you. My wife certainly is to me. As chapter 18 says, in my wife I found a treasure and I have experienced the favor of the Lord because of her. However, there is a stark contrast between the favor magnet of chapter 18 and the nagging wife of chapters 21 and 27. Both are wives, but one is able to bring out the best in her husband, while the other has a knack for bringing out the worst.
It has been said that every man has both a king and a fool in him, and whichever one is spoken to the most – the one that is nurtured and developed – is the one that he will become. I can say, without a doubt, that my wife has spoken to the king in me. She believed in me when no one else did. My wife is my biggest fan. Ladies, never underestimate the power of believing in your husband! When he knows that you believe in him it gives him wind beneath his wings. Even if the world is against him, he can feel unstoppable if he knows that you believe in and support him.
Most of the time, whatever I teach to men applies to women and vice-versa, but in this case I believe that we, as men, need the unyielding support of our wives more than they need ours. Now, of course wives need the support of their husbands. I am not saying they don’t. But I am saying that what we (husbands) receive from our wives, by way of belief and support, far outweighs what we do for them in like manner. That’s why it is so devastating to a man when he has a wife who does not believe in him. To make matters worse, Solomon describes a wife who takes it a step further and constantly nags her husband. This is a dangerous situation for the marriage, because before long her husband will dread coming home. He will look for someone who speaks to the king, and not the fool, in him.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. For wives: Speak to the king in your husbands. The more you speak to the king in him, the more he will believe it and become it.
2. For husbands: Welcome the support of your wife and allow her to speak into your life. She is graced by God to minister to you in ways that NO ONE ELSE CAN, OR SHOULD!
3. For husbands and wives: Never make your spouse dread coming home. Do all you can to make your home a nurturing and loving environment where dreams are encouraged and believed!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. Your Word is awesome and it shows me how to live and enjoy life to the fullest. I thank You for my spouse and I declare, by faith, that I will be the blessing to him/her that You desire for me to be. I speak life (never death) into my spouse daily. I build them up and never tear them down. You grace me to minister to my spouse in ways that I only I can and only I should. My spouse welcomes my input because I always share it in a loving and caring way. I never make my spouse dread coming come. Our home is a sanctuary of peace where dreams are encouraged, believed, and supported! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
