LOVE YOUR SPOUSE

WHY SUFFER IN MARRIAGE

Suffering is the greatest challenge to the Christian faith.

I have wives come up to me concerning their marriage.  Many of them feel that their suffering is unavoidable and unfair.

Here is a list of three different types of suffering:

First, there is global suffering (earthquakes, famine, etc.).

Second, there is community suffering (plane crashes, ship sinking, etc.).

Third, suffering as an individual which does affect those around us (death, poverty).

Suffering is a problem for Judeo-Christian tradition because we believe that God is good and all-powerful.

Gods original plan was that there would be no suffering but it enter the world when Adam and Eve sinned.

Why did God allow sin to enter the world?

God wanted us to have free will to love.

Without you being able to choose, then love is forced without real choice.

You had a choice as to who you would marry.

You don’t have a choice on your parents or siblings, nor people in your school or workplace.

You don’t even get a choice on the sex of your children or their personalities.

So often the repercussions we suffer are a result of our own sin.

There are physical laws of nature; if you put your hand in fire, you get burned.

There are moral laws; if you take drugs, you suffer the consequences.

Are you selfish, greedy, lustful, arrogant or bad tempered?

If you are, this will lead to a broken marriage relationship and unhappiness.

On a global scale, the biblical flood is an example of God judging sin in this life.

Sodom and Gomorrah is an example of a community disaster.

In John 9:1-3, Jesus expresses how suffering is not automatically linked to a sin.

In Luke 13:1-5, Jesus points out that a natural disaster is also not always a form of punishment from God.

God works through suffering

1.  Suffering is used by God to draw us to Christ.

It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.

If you are rebellious in your marriage, God could use a megaphone as an instrument of pain to draw you to Him.

2.  God uses suffering to bring us to Christian maturity.

Jesus learned obedience from what he suffered (Heb.12:10).

God uses suffering to build our character.

God also uses suffering to make our lives more fruitful.

Great triumphs in your marriage can only come after great trials.

3.  God often uses suffering to bring his good purposes. (Rom.8:28)

Joseph suffered rejection, imprisonment, trials, and temptations.

The blessings of God in your marriage will far outweigh the suffering (Rom.8:18; 2Cor.4:17).

4.  God is a God who suffers along side of us.

He became one of us; he suffered in all the ways in which we suffer (2Cor.5:19).

When we suffer, He suffers.

How do we respond to suffering?

Questions you need to ask yourself are:

1.  “Is this suffering a result of my own sin?”

Ask God to reveal any specific sin then repent and ask for God’s forgiveness and cleansing.

2.  “What are you saying to me through this?”

There may be some particular lesson God is trying to teach you about your marriage.

3.  “What do you want me to do?”

4.   We need to hold on to our hope.

Remember that battles do not last forever and there is usually a blessing around the corner.

Life is full of battles and blessings running side by side.

Keep your eyes fixed on him  (Heb.12:2).

Jesus fought against suffering wherever he came across it.

• Fed the hungry
• Healed the sick
• Raised the dead

We are called to follow in Jesus’ steps.

The devil always tries to make you suffer in your marriage.

You need to kick back with an iron boot!

There are tremendous blessings being poured out into your life right now.

Does God need to get out His megaphone or are you listening?

Whatever you are going through, God is going through it with you.

You have a partner!!

NOTE:  Most of the information was taken from a booklet called “Why does God allow suffering” by Nicky Gumbel.

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

HAPPY FACE!

Everyone loves to be around the “life of the party” or the one with a good hearty laugh.

I remember seeing an interview with the famous actor “Billy Crystal”.  The interviewer asked him about his family and his childhood.  He has several brothers and when Crystal was asked what his biological brothers thought of his talent as a comedian he said, “They are far more funny than I am.”  At that point the interviewer told him that it must be a riot at Christmas when they are all together.  Crystal laughed and said it was where he gets his material and his inspiration from.

Once again lets be a “profile peeker” and dissect the Proverbs 31 woman to see what she is made of.

Prov.31:25 “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”

The first word that is used here is “strength”, which in Hebrew means a force, security, majesty, praise, boldness, might and power.

She was strong mentally, physically and emotionally.

Her husband knew that she was up to the task of being a GOD wife and to be the mother of his children.

Are you strong in those areas, or do you show your frustration to your husband and his children.

Do you START complaining, criticizing, yelling, crying and retaliating?

Strength is a clothing that gives you an opportunity to show diligent labor and strenuous efforts to be the best mother and wife.

In our society today, we are finding that our YOUNG ADULTS do not want to get married.  When asked why, their response is that they don’t want a marriage like their parents had.

Gods precious Holy Spirit is there to help you with those emotions.

The Holy Spirit is a gentlemen, and you have to LISTEN for his tugging in your heart to not express something that you will be embarrassed about later.

Thank God that He loves us so much, He doesn’t want us to destroy our marriage or our children.

The next word “honor” in Hebrew means magnificence that is an ornament or splendor.  It is beauty, excellency, glorious, and goodly.

This virtuous woman does not allow folly or sin to ruin her GODLY reputation.

Do you have a holy life in conduct, tongue and heart?

The last part of this verse is excellent: “…she shall rejoice in time to come.”

The word “rejoice” in Hebrew means to laugh, play, and make merry.

In other bible versions, they interpret the word “rejoice” as LAUGH.

This virtuous woman must have been very easy to be around because she was playful.

Life is not all about doing, but BEING.  That is, being joyful!

Are you sometimes a “stick in the mud”?

Are you many times not fun to be around?

Maybe you keep a clean house, love your husband, educate your children, but you are just a big KILLJOY!

You don’t know how to have fun!

This virtuous woman has taken care of others so she has a CLEAN conscience and the praises from those she has served.

Your future happiness depends on diligence and virtue today.

Don’t listen to the lies of the devil.

Put on a big “happy face” and  have fun today!

Someone with a  HAPPY FACE electrifies a whole room.

Your spiritual prescription for today is, put on a smile and get in there and have fun with your hubby and kids.

Fight that good fight with a smile!

NOTE: Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

BOYS CLUB INITIATION

We have all heard about the initiations that go on when you join any type of boys club.  Many times on TV they will sneak cameras in to show some of the torture or hazing that goes on.

As we continue on as a “profile peeker” and watch what the Proverbs 31 woman went through, we find a very industrious, hardworking woman.

Prov.31:24  “She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.”

This woman manufactures articles and runs a business.

Her efforts and industry, ADD to the family income.

It takes time to set up a business because you have to develop a strong client base.

She had to keep her INTEGRITY while trying to enter into an industry that was probably led mainly by male manufacturers.

Probably most women would not have attempted it because of the old saying that a woman has to be twice as good as a man to receive half as much credit.

Not this Proverbs 31 woman.  She knew that not all men had the “boys club” mentality and she guarded her heart against any bitterness.

She trusted God by praying He would show her how to be effective as she sharpened her skills and persevered.

By faith, she rested in the knowledge that she had done ALL that God has shown her to do.

If you take great pains to prosper now that you are capable, you will have the pleasure and joy of the increase later on in life.

Are you doing everything you can NOW for your spouse and family?

Are you trying to use your talents and abilities now to further the kingdom of God?

Prov.30:25 “The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.”

The virtuous woman, just like the ant, builds up her nest in the summer to prepare ahead.

Prov.6:6 “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.”

What are the ways of the ant that we are to consider?

1.)  In vs.6, they are intelligent and wise.

2.)  In vs.7, they work without being forced to by a guide, overseer or ruler.

3.)  In vs.8, they collect food in the proper season.

Even though there are times that blessings come unexpectedly, there is no substitute for hard work.

This virtuous woman was faithful in the “little.”

Luke 19:17 “…because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

Jesus had left three men with money to invest.  Only one of the three invested wisely and earned a 100% return on the money.

Jesus commended the one that had received the best return.

Are you committed to working hard for Jesus?

Hard work is how we PROVE that we are ready to be used by God.

Give it your all!   You go girl!!!

You’re not letting the devil stop you are you????

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

A COMPARABLE HELPER

WHILE ALL OF US ARE CALLED to help others–“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal.6:2)–the Bible places a special emphasis on the responsibility for wives.  It also tells us that God specially designed women to be the kinds of helpers that make them the ideal match for men as the two become one in marriage.

The very first book of God’s Word tells us that part of God’s plan of creation–including the creation of marriage–contained this declaration, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him” (Gen.2:18).

It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word helper in this passage is found hereafter in the Bible only in reference to God as He helps us.  The fact that God applies this same word to a wife signifies that women have been given tremendous power for good in the lives of their husbands.

This remarkable verse tells us that God has designed wives to be very much like their husbands–comparable–but also different in ways that complement or help their husbands become all that God intends them to be.

NOTE:  Don’t forget tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post!

SATURDAY – QUESTION & ANSWER

Question #1.  How do you prevent the fire from going out of marriage?

Answer #1. Here are some exhortations that should help you keep the fire burning.

1.  Make your marriage bed your priority.

Exhaustion is the great zapper of passion.  Make your sexual relationship a priority in your married life.

2.  Talk about what pleases one another.

Describe what would truly please you, and encourage your spouse to do the same.

3.  Fan the flames of romance.

Find out what setting sparks or even ignites your love for your mate.

4.  Have fun with one another, but not at each others expense.

Grins, giggles, and laughter ought to occasionally drift out of our bedrooms.

5.  Add the element of surprise to your marriage bed.

If the sexual area of your marriage has been a struggle, then ask permission before cooking up something you think is wonderful and your spouse might not appreciate (Rom.15:1-7).

6.  Be patient with your mate.

Married love demands that we continually grown and learn about one another (see 1Thess.3:14-15).

7.  Beware of bitterness.

Bitterness quenches the fire of romance.  Keep short accounts and ask forgiveness when you fail or if you have become bitter (Eph.4:26,27).

NOTE:  The answer above was taken from Family Life Marriage Bible by Dennis & Barbara Rainey

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

MEGA-GIANT BUILDER

On 9/16/08, Michael Reilly wrote a piece for Discovery News.  In the South Pacific Ocean, on the island of Tongatapu, there are seven giant boulders made of coral.  Matthew Hornback of the University of Texas, Austin, and a team of researchers discovered the boulders last year and are baffled by how they got there. What baffles him is that Tongatapu is as flat as a pancake and here are seven boulders as big as a bus sitting hundreds of meters inland, and 66 feet above sea level.  These boulders are bigger than deposits made by Krakatau’s tsunami which inundated the island of Java in 1883.  That tsunami was up to 130 feet high but those boulders weighed 600 metric tons.  By comparison, these boulders in Tongatapu are 1,600 metric tons.  Jose Borrerros of ASR Research says, that the giant-ness of the wave proposed here hasn’t been seen in human time.  Science cannot be sure what caused 7 mega-giant boulders to end up on that island, hundreds of feet inland and 66 feet above sea level.

For sure God knows exactly how they got there.

As I read this and compared it to what we have been studying about the Proverbs 31 woman, it was a PARALLEL to her Godly works.

Once again lets be a “profile peeker” and see what we can find out about this virtuous woman.

Prov.31:23 “Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.”

For a man to sit at the gate was a high honor; it represented wisdom and success.

You could not be a FOOL and sit at the gates.

We build our husbands up with our work when we believe this passage and begin to act on it in faith.

This husbands reputation and status in verse 23, was due to the fact that his wife knew her role was to be productive and faithful, which she did WELL.

Prov.12:4 “A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.”

What do you think other men will think of this man who is married to a woman who is rottenness in his bones?

Do you wear a CROWN or do you make your husband ashamed with his friends and family?

How about around your friends and family; do you shame him?

Men NEED personal freedom and peace of mind.

Your talents, treasures, tongue, and wise use of time glorifies him.

When you glorify your husband, you glorify GOD.

Woman who resent Godly characteristics are slothful, rebellious and prideful.

Submission is the Godly doing GOD through self-discipline and self-sacrifice for the glory of another.

Proverbs also talks about woman that have their husbands sexually starved and frustrated which leads to adultery because of the wife’s selfishness.

Prov.5:19-20 “Let her be as the loving doe and a pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love…”

A great wife can make a below average man look great or reduce him to nothing.

God desires wives to partner with him in building a GODLY mega-giant.

If you have the character traits of the virtuous woman, you can build up a man.

Is your husband HONORED for marrying you?

Do you fear the Lord?  The fear of the Lord is what gives you the incentive to be a perfect wife.

Your love for God and desire to NOT QUENCH the Holy Spirit is what will cause you to strive to be the woman God wants you to be.

Remember that it is said, “Behind every great man, there is a great woman.”

Are your failures exposed?

Do you GUARD your spouse’s Christian walk?

Do you COMFORT your spouse’s heart?

Do you build your spouse’s mind?

What can you do to make your husband GREATER in the future?

Start today; start right now!!

Fighting the good fight and loving it!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

PARENTS RETREAT

Have you ever looked through a magazine and saw a picture of a beautiful master bedroom.  This room is gorgeously decorated with an opening off to the side.  In that side section, you usually will find that is comfortably decorated with a “loveseat” and table.  This room is called a “Parents Retreat”.  This side section, yet open to the master bedroom with no doors, is a place for the parents to sit and relax.

We will continue as a “profile peeker” and learn more about the Proverbs 31 woman.

Prov.3:22 “She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.”

This implies she makes coverings for her bed; and she is clothed in fine apparel.

This woman knows that both her home appearance and her personal appearance are important to her husband.

Do you ignore or neglect either one of these areas?

If you ignore either one of these areas, you are SHOWING fraud, laziness and disrespect to your husband.

I hope you have figured that out!  Before marriage he expected these areas to be taken care of.

Do you need a course in “clutterology” or need a visit from “Merry Maids?”

Whatever it takes girls, let’s just get it done!

The virtuous woman keeps an inviting atmosphere in her bedroom and all through her house she decorates elegantly.

I have heard that a bedroom should look ROMANTIC, which emphasizes to your husband the importance of intimacy.

Mine looks a bit like Hawaii, which to us is a romantic place.

If you do not know how to decorate, COPY.   Yes, copy!

Look at magazines or ask a friend to help you.

The next thing this virtuous woman did in this verse is, she dressed herself well.

You definitely do not have to be RICH to dress nice.

You get basic items and you just add to them items or colors.

Add jewelry, scarfs, hats, shoes, purses, belts and jackets or sweaters.

People who dress mannequins do these tricks.  SO CAN YOU!!

Women who are too lazy to fulfill their God given calling, use “false humility” to dress dull and drab.

You were created for your husband so you must maintain your attractiveness.

1Cor.11:7 “…the woman is the glory of the man.”

You know that when you were dating your husband, you went through great lengths to wear the right outfit.

You spent HOURS trying to get your makeup and hair perfect.

It is defrauding to now put that area at the back of your list.

CASE AND POINT:  I always remember a TV commercial where a wife would not let her husband use the good towels they received as wedding presents.  He asked her,  “Who are you saving them for, your next husband?”

Can I get a little CRUDDY here girls and bring it home?  If your marriage is getting a little dull, fix up your bedroom and yourself for your husband before another woman does!!!!!!

Unfortunately, even in CHRISTIAN marriages the divorce rate is the same, 50%.

Can we change that number with the Holy Spirit as our guide.

YES!!!

Start right now!!

Fighting the good fight and loving it!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Many things happen in our lives and in our marriages that bring us fear.

God did not give us a SPIRIT OF FEAR but of power and love and a sound mind.

As we once again, take a look into the Proverbs 31 woman and continue in our “profile peeking”, let’s see how she handled her fears in the time of crisis.

Prov.31:21 “She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”

This woman takes things seriously when it comes to her family.

She plans ahead and practices crisis management so she does not have to be afraid of any DISASTER that may come her way.

Do you plan ahead?  Wives should always have a Plan B.

Or are you one of those kind of wives that starts yelling and showing anger when plans are CHANGED?

Does everything have to be done your way?

In the business world, they train for “Crisis Management”.  There are two kinds of “Leadership Crisis” in the business world: sudden crises and smoldering crises.  Sudden crises are circumstances that occur without warning and beyond control.  Smoldering crises are minor internal issues that, due to manager’s negligence, develop to crisis status.  Research shows how leaders must be competent in integrity, capability, mutual respect, and transparency to build trust.

Let’s look at what the apostle Paul went through as he was trying to successfully complete the will of God in his life.

2Cor.11:26 “In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.”

While the apostle Paul was ministering in his day, he and his team ran into many problems.

That is why Paul said they were “…in perils in the city…” 2Cor.11:26.

The power and presence was with Paul as he faced his many CHALLENGES.

Paul never let any crisis keep him from doing what he was called to do.

To the best of his ability he pressed FORWARD and completed his responsibilities.

As the enemy kept throwing things at him in the city, he just kept marching forward with the Gospel.

Paul and his team also had “perils in the wilderness.”

It is very probable that Paul had to deal with beasts, venomous snakes, thieves and an array of troubles.

As they found themselves in various perils, they put their trust in the power of God.

On top of all this, Paul talks about “…perils in the sea…”

All of these demonic attacks were so that Paul would never go back on a ship again or anywhere for that matter.

He knew that he had a God given ASSIGNMENT and he was not going to let fears interfere on the goal.

Are you tough enough to be successful?

Can you KEEP from turning around during a crisis?

God has called you to be an equipped spouse, right?

Are you as committed as Paul was to reach your GOAL?

This virtuous woman had her family draped in scarlet.  These colors were worn by senators, kings, and emperors.  They were worn by the priests.

Are you covering your family with Godly garments?

If not, START TODAY!

You do not have to fear the future.

Put your trust in God.

Fighting the good fight and loving it!!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

KINGDOM BUSINESS

When our youngest daughter was taking ice skating lessons at about the age of nine, she had to have gymnastics.  Her lesson was about an hour so the first part of the lesson was stretching which lasted about 30 minutes.  It was a private lesson from a young man and when he was done with her, my whole body was hurting from just watching.  He pushed and pulled her the whole half hour.  I had to control myself from barging in and telling him to quit or he might break something.  My husband kept telling me that the coach knew what he was doing and we needed to let him do what he needed to do.  In the end she was able to do splits and all leg lifting that was needed for her ice skating competitions.

As we continue on with our “profile peeking”, we will see how the Proverbs 31 woman was stretched to her capacity.

Prov.31:20 “She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”

This woman did MORE than just write a check,  she shows personal concern.

“She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.”

This is a woman that comforts the lonely, visits the sick and depressed, and delivers food to those in need.

“Why should I care???”

Jesus said that in order to please him, you have to care because He cares.

Jesus and the poor were INSEPERABLE.

The blind, hungry, lame, beggars, destitute and needy flocked around Jesus.

This is KINGDOM BUSINESS.

God has made it His business to show he cares.

Whatever is Gods business, is your BUSINESS.

Do you tell yourself, “It’s none of my business”, when you see a need?

There may be a real financial or material need right next to you.

CASE AND POINT:  I heard once that when you see any member of the armed forces in a public place, pay for his meal, especially if he is with his family.  They have the highest rate of divorce and they have limited finances to support their family.  If we are in an eatery, and my husband sees someone in uniform, he calls the server over and anonymously pays for what that military personnel is eating.  One time in an airport, I sent my brother to chase down a military man to give him some lunch money.  My brother is a very thoughtful person but after he chased the guy I explained why I did it.  Even if we don’t have much in our pocket, it will at least buy him a cup of coffee.

I am not saying this to get pats on my back, but to give you an idea so you can do likewise.

Just say, “Have a blessed day” and put some cash in their hand.

Do all this for the sake of the One who “…though he was rich, for your sake he became poor,  that we through his poverty might be rich.” 2Cor.8:9

Are the poor within YOUR reach?

They are within reach of your wallet, your energy, and your prayers.

It is your personal responsibility to find out where the poor are.

In the Old Testament, the law PROVIDED for one-tenth of the farm produce to be given to the widows, the fatherless and the poor.

Also, they were told to provide for foreigners, strangers and travelers.

In order to reach, you must stretch.

Psa.41:1 “…blessed is he that considereth the poor: The LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.”

With an outstretched hand, the virtuous woman cheerfully and freely serves the poor with her hands.

Your spouse and your children need to see you do these random ACTS of kindness.

Jesus taught by doing, and you need to do according to the example that was left for us.

Or am I wrong ABOUT DOING?

She seeks opportunities to do good and help those in desperation as she reaches out her hands to the needy.

Do you give TITHES and offerings in your church?

Do you help out those in the household of faith?

Can our LORD count on you to put kingdom business first?

Can HE??

Fighting that good fight and loving it!!

NOTE:  Don’t miss tomorrow’s post.  Daily there is a new post.

HUSBANDS vs. PMS Emotions

Do you find yourself getting upset and emotional about something that is not a big deal? Then you find out that it was right before your monthly menstruation.

Some women use PMS as an excuse to act ugly.

PMS is premenstrual Syndrome, a medical disorder characterized by a variety of physical and emotional symptoms that occur in women before menstruation.

Comments are from Bible Answer Stand written by Craig Bluemel.

A woman’s emotions may vary according to lower levels of estrogen and progesterone of key brain chemicals, such as serotonin.

This is the cause for anger and other emotions like depression, anxiety, or mood swings.

Physically at that time there is fluid retention, bloating, cramps, sore breasts, headaches, swollen feet and hands.

So what is the poor husbands to do?

Did God leave any instructions for the husbands.

Yes!!

Husbands are to treat their wives weakness or even sinful behavior as Jesus treats him when he is weak and sins.

1Pet.3:7-18 are instructions on what the treatment of the wife should be and his Christ-like response during times of conflict.

1Pet.3:7 (Amplified Bible) “In the same way you married men should live considerately with your wives, with an intelligent recognition of the marriage relation,  honoring the woman as physically the weaker, but realizing that you are joint heirs of the grace of life, in order that your prayers may not be hindered and cut-off, otherwise you cannot pray effectively.”

If the husband’s prayers are heard, it is based solely on how he treats his wife, including his righteous response to her emotional negativity.

The word “weaker” in the Greek means more BEAUTIFUL, DELICATE and FRAIL.

The word “vessel” in the Greek means EQUIPMENT.  In reference to the wife, it describes her as contributing to the usefulness of the husband.

Unfaithfulness of husband and wife causes prayers to be hindered.

vs. 3:8 ”Finally, all of you (husbands) should be of one and the same mind (with your wife), united in spirit, sympathizing with another, loving each other as brethren of one household, compassionate and courteous, tenderhearted and humble.”

vs. 3:9 “(Husbands should) never return evil for evil or insult for insult, scolding, tongue-lashing, treating, but on the contrary blessing, praying for their (wife’s) welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them.  For know that to this you (husbands) have been called, that you may yourselves inherit a blessing from God—that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection (to your wife).”

vs. 3:10 “For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days; good, whether apparent or not, keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile, treachery, deceit.”

vs. 3:11 “Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right.  Let him search for peace, harmony; undisturbedness from (his eagerly.  Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen (wife as fellow heir), and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!”

vs. 3:12 “For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, those who are upright and in right standing with God, and His ears are attentive to their prayer.  But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil, to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them.”

God will look on the wicked to punish them for their sins.

vs. 3:13 “Now who (which wife) is there to hurt you (husbands) if you are zealous followers of that which is good?”

A “follower” is an imitator.

vs. 3:14 “But even in case you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed, happy, to be envied.  Do not dread or be afraid of their (wife’s) threats, nor be disturbed by their opposition.”

If you have the right attitude, all suffering for doing right will work to your good.

vs. 3:15 “But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy and acknowledge Him as Lord.  Always be ready to give a (her) logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully.”

vs. 3:16 “And see to it that your conscience is entirely clear and unimpaired, so that, when you are falsely accused as evildoers (by her emotional tirade), those who threaten you abusively and revile your right behavior in Christ may come to be ashamed of slandering your good lives.”

If you maintain good behavior, you will have a good conscience.

vs.  3:17 “For it is better to suffer unjustly for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer justly for doing wrong.”

vs. 3:18 “For Christ himself died for sins once for all, the Righteous for the unrighteous, the Just for the unjust, the Innocent for the guilty, that He might bring us to God. (AMP)

It may seem a little unfair at the time, but the rewards of a great marriage are powerful for the kingdom of God.

PMS lasts for a few days, but the rewards of a good marriage  will last for eternity.