The gift of an honest wife

An honest wife is one of the greatest blessings a man can receive, a fountain of life-giving counsel if you welcome it.

But some men, maybe all of us to some extent don’t welcome it.

Some women don’t have a problem being honest, but others must be assured that their honesty will not be met with difficulty, or they will withhold their counsel for fear of blowback.

If you are a natural leader who exudes confidence, recognize that that very confidence can discourage honesty from your wife. Learn to be vulnerable with her and to pull her into decisions that you make. Ask for her counsel early and often.

Show her it is safe to disagree with you. A foolish man will demand respect, honor, and loyalty rather than winning her heart through mutual trust.

Can she trust that her honesty won’t be met with:

• a pity party
• anger
• accusations
• spiritual or emotional manipulation

If not, she will shut down. Each time you respond to her counsel with rejection rather than appreciation, she will pull away more and more.

She may continue to love you and even adore her provider and rock. But she will not be honest. It is not worth it.

You may live a good life, raise a family and grow old together, never knowing the fullest blessing of an honest wife. But you don’t know what you will be missing.

Nurture your wife, allow her honest voice in your life. Sometimes it will be tough, humbling, or may even feel (gasp!) disrespectful. But oh, how life-giving to a man is the counsel of an honest wife.

Don't squander the gift.

"The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise." — Proverbs 15:31

Revival in the heart of the confident man!