Submission With a Smile
I used to cringe at the word, "submission." Although I love my mother dearly, I will say that she did not do much to teach me what submission really means. She was an eighties woman (aka: a women's libber). A recent divorcee', men weren't exactly on her likeability list. Helen Reddy's "I am woman, hear me roar!" constantly blasted from our stereo. With so many women's rights messages invading my brain, it's no wonder that the word "submission" was not a word I used often; and when I did, it was usually followed by laughter.
Many years have since passed. And although I am now a born-again believer and understand God's purpose for submission, I'll admit it's still not easy for me to submit to my husband. I no longer have a Helen Reddy album, but her words, and my mother's, often play in my mind's CD player.
God's Purpose for Submission
Unfortunately, the term "submission" has been (and still is) largely abused. But God's purpose for submission is not to degrade women or make them less valuable than men. God never intended for husbands to rule over their wives or for women to be doormats. Genesis 1 tells us that God created us equally, in His image. Submission of woman to man was only introduced after the fall, for which both genders share blame.
God's ultimate purpose for submission is to maintain a sense of order. And although men and women were created with equal value, God has not assigned us equal roles.
Submission or Permission?
In my own marriage, it sometimes helps to think of submission as giving permission. I am choosing to give my husband permission to set certain rules, balance the checkbook, or whatever it might be. Personally, it's easier for me to think, "I am preferring my husband over myself," than, "I am submitting." There really is no difference - it simply sounds better!
But, you know? A funny thing happens when I prefer my husband's opinion to mine. More and more, my husband seems to take extra interest in my opinion. I find it interesting that Paul addresses the women first in Colossians 3:17-19. Is it possible that when women submit to their husbands, men find it easier to love them? It might not seem fair that we have to submit in order to get our husbands to love us the way we'd like them to, but, to me, the end result is all that counts.
A God Idea is always a Good Idea
In 1 Peter 3, Peter writes that a submissive woman is of great worth to God. When speaking of Sarah's submission to Abraham, he says something that strikes me. He says we are Sarah's daughters if we do what is right and do not fear. Is Peter telling us that we may actually fear submission? Isn't that precisely what has happened over the last few decades? Today we tend to steer clear of the word, "submission." Even the church seems to focus on equality in marriage, when really, what the church needs is more teaching and understanding. Submission is not a bad word, just a misunderstood one.
In my own marriage, I sometimes still struggle with submitting. I may even find myself scowling. But as I take control and ask God to provide me with the will to submit, somehow He gives me the grace to turn my scowl into a smile.
Related Tags: marriage, submission, christian marriage, woman submission
Access Thousands of Christian Articles and Christian Poems. Discuss all Christian topics at our Christian Forums. Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles
Recent articles in this category:
- The Unused Power
Ever wondered what would have already been accomplished on this earth if only a handful of people ha - How Horoscope / Astrology Does Affect A Person's Happiness
When we speak about happiness, it reflects on two variations. One as an emotion like being happy or - Using The Internet For God
Do you have a Christian product, service or message that you would like to inexpensively advertise a - Get The Latest Catholic Church Mass Times Now On The Internet
Get to know the Catholic Church Mass Times through the Internet. It is generally obligatory to atten - Horoscope Compatibility For Libra, Capricorn, Sagittarius
According to psychic readings, people under this horoscope signs are somewhat different and somewhat - Know Your Life Through Psychic And Clairvoyance!
Having psychic and clairvoyant readings done from professionals is the best way to know the flaws th - Astrology/horoscopes: Why People Love Astrology
Astrology/horoscopes is the study of celestial body movement. Astrologers believe that the movement - Benny Hinn: India Healing Crusade
Benny Hinn recently conducted a healing crusade in India that drew one of the largest crowds ever. P - Sun, Moon, Ascendants Sign In Birth Chart Wheel
The Ascendant signs or the rising sign - is the zodiacal sign and degree that was ascending on the e - Zodiac Sign Gemini And Its Houses Description
Understanding Zodiac is not that difficult at all, determining your reading for the said subject doe
Most viewed articles in this category:
- No Sign in the Prayer Test
The recent release of the Richard Dawkins book, "The God Delusion", has brought renewed accusations - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences Array (2) the Bees
Before dealing with the topic of the Bees in Quran versus Bible versus sciences, it is mandatory to - Understanding the Heart
(If you wish to more benefit from this article, please read first our "The Alems" titled article. - Christian Dating vs Courtship
Over the past decade, or so, It's become popular in modern churches to use the concept of courtship - Bible Versus Quran Versus Sciences, Array (19) the Birds
The issues concerning the Birds in the Bible are:1) The Birds are Detestable and intolerable, 2) The - Starting the Wealth Process
Luke 6:38 KJV Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken togethe - Dissolving the Illusion of Fear
Webster defines fear as unpleasant emotions cause by expectation or awareness of danger. However, - Crossing Paths with a Whistleblower
Mordechai Vanunu grew up in an Orthodox Jewish home but abandoned the faith by his mid teens. He bec - Conspiracy Madness
In connection with the WTC disaster there are conspiracy theories that have been proposed. Such as t - How You Dream Your World Into Existence
Reality is not real. It is a dream. This is not a metaphorical statement. On the quantum level of