I was struggling a bit in my mind, no doubt a spiritual battle. Satan wants us to think about and act negatively toward our spouses. When praying and looking at Scripture, God gave me this reminder. I am sure I’m not the only one that needs it.
Webster’s 1828 dictionary explains good will as being equivalent to benevolence (the disposition to do good; good will; kindness;) but signifying also an earnest desire, a hearty wish, entire willingness or fervent zeal.
Ephesians 6:6-7 comes after God has given the order of the home and the responsibility of children and servants. “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:”
Colossians 3:22-23 tell us “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” Again, this was given after the order of the home and the responsibility of children and masters.
Proverbs 31:12 “She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.”
This is how we are to live our lives, even in our marriages. As unto the Lord.
Wife, do you have an earnest desire to submit to and serve your husband as unto the Lord?
If we were to be honest, we would probably admit that this is not our attitude all of the time. I know I struggle with this. You probably do, too. If you do, just know you are not alone, and there is hope!
In the verses from Colossians and Ephesians, both sections remind us to be thankful before telling us our responsibilities in our homes. We are to be thankful people! But we are also to do what God called us to do because God called us to do it.
When we seek to serve God right where we are and do things His way, there is a blessing. God does not call us to do things His way just so we can fail or get into a situation that is miserable. God knows what He is doing and His way works.
We just have to trust Him.
Are you willing to trust God and have an attitude of good will toward your husband?
When we do this as unto the Lord, it is easier than doing it unto our imperfect husbands. Some days we don’t want to serve, submit, or support them. I get it.
But I also want you to remember that you are also imperfect. There will be days your husband doesn’t want to love you as Christ loved the church. Thankfully, we serve a perfect God that enables us to be the spouses we should be according to His Word.
Let your service and submission be unto the Lord and not unto men. We don’t do this just for others or even our husband to say how good of a job we are doing. Our praise is of the Lord.
Let it be enough that you know you are following God’s will and you are right with Him.
Proverbs 18:22, 12:4, 31:10 Be a crown to him. Choose to be a godly wife that uses Scripture as her guide and not the ways of the world.
Even on the hard days, serve God through your marriage and let Him be honored and glorified. This really is the goal of marriage.
We obey God because He is worthy of our trust and obedience, not because our husbands deserve it, not because it is easy, and not because we like to do it all the time.
Pray God’s Word back to Him, asking Him to help you have good will toward your husband, to be the wife He wants you to be. Let Him change your negative outlook, trust Him with your husband, and seek to build your marriage and home according to Scripture.
Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.
With Hope in His Service,
Heather
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