I have been married for over 34 years. Susan and I have spent years working on our relationship and learning the things we love about each other. We pray, travel, and dream together. We don’t see eye to eye on everything, but one thing Susan will never have to wonder is if I have her back.
Your wife should know this, too—that you’ll always protect your wife. As her husband, I want to make sure Susan feels safe. Do you feel that same duty toward your wife? What role do you think you play in her protection? If you’re not sure, here are 3 practical ways to protect your wife.
1. Protect her body.
With her body, a wife honors God, cares for children, works, and shows love to her husband. Your wife’s body should be respected. She and her body are sacred and should be treated as such. So anyone who leers at your wife, says rude things about her appearance, or makes advances toward her is crossing the line. But you protect your wife when you set boundaries for what is appropriate. When you hear something that is not acceptable, speak up—and remind your wife of the truth about her body if anybody ever makes her think less of it.
2. Protect her name.
Your wife deserves respect and her name deserves protection. Anyone who lies about her, puts her down, belittles her reputation, or dismisses her accomplishments should be reminded how hurtful their words are to her and to her name. When you remind them, you protect your wife. You protect her when you stand up for her and when you praise her publicly. And you protect her when you model this sort of respect for her yourself.
3. Protect her time.
Proverbs 18:22 says a man who finds a wife finds a treasure. Good wives are caring, loving, and generous. It’s easy to fall into the trap of demanding too much of your wife’s time. Protect your wife by not overburdening her. Don’t take advantage of her generosity by expecting her to carry burdens that belong to you. Protect her by considering her schedule before your own. If you see others exploiting her time, point it out. Wives who are people-pleasers may need someone to remind them that it’s OK not to be everything for everyone. Protect her by being that person.
What are some other practical ways that you have pledged to protect your wife?
