I Love Him, I Love Him Not

Ladies, it is our call to love our husbands. This isn't a conditional love that is based on his deserving our love. It is a command of God to love the man that He has given to us. Even if you did not seek God's input when you said, "yes", this marriage of yours is not outside the will of God. That is it. He is sovereign and brought the two of you together for better or worse. Now, it is up to you to choose to love your husband more than yourself.

I know that there are days that it is hard to love that man who strews his dirty laundry around the house, snores, and tracks mud on your just washed floors. It can be difficult to choose to love the man who never says,"I love you" back, doesn't seem to consider your opinion in anything, and never gives a compliment. It is a struggle to love the man who has no use for God, doesn't go to church, and takes the Lord's name in vain. When it seems beyond your abilities to love this man, remember that God is with you and will bear your burdens.

I encourage you to go to God on your knees and ask Him to let you see your husband as He sees him. A wise man once told me that if we could see the person next to us as God does, we would be so in awe of them that we would be tempted to worship them. At times it may seem unbelievable that you would be tempted to worship that man, but he is God's glorious creation. He does bear the image of the creator of the universe. Sit with God a while and view your spouse through His eyes. You will be glad you did.

Next, make a list of those qualities in your mate that you truly appreciate. Does he take out the trash without you nagging him? Maybe he goes out of his way to compliment you on those days you are feeling fat. Is he a good provider? great father? loyal friend? hard worker? Spend your time concentrating on those qualities that you admire in him. Read over your list each morning. Tell him what it is you love about him. In fact, tell others, too. As you dwell on those things, God will reveal more and more good qualities that you have overlooked. You will be reminded what an incredible catch your spouse really is.

In this world, nothing happens by accident. God is in control of all things. That includes your marriage. You did not meet by chance, date on a whim, or fall in love by accident. Nothing happens outside of the will of the Lord. If you lean on Him, God will use your spouse to make you into the woman that He desires you to be. Even if he doesn't know the Lord, you are called to be faithful, and by doing so, may lead him to salvation. If we, as Christian women, would take our job of loving our husbands seriously, we could greatly impact the world. The divorce rate in the church would diminish and the world would notice. They would begin to listen to what God has to say to them. Evangelize the world, love your husbands.