Day 3: His Tenderness

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

Phil. 4:19

Love indeed suffers long and is kind. As you consider your Encouragement Challenge, determine today that you will not say anything negative to or about your husband. Speak kindly to him with words of genuine encouragement.

If your husband is considerate of your needs, let him know that you have noticed. Thank him for his kindness and consideration. Thank the Lord that your husband knows how to be both tough and tender.

Sometimes it's difficult for a man to be gentle, kind or tender—especially if he hasn't had role models in these areas. If he's not a considerate person, appeal to him for help without complaining. Let him know that it's hard for you to handle some things alone. Then, when he moves in to help, don't insist that he do it your way. Be glad that he is responding, and express your gratitude.

Ultimately, you can't expect your husband to make you feel more secure, loved, etc.

Remember that only God can meet the deepest needs of your heart.

I think this one can be really hard because I think sometimes as wives we have our expectations set to high concerning our husband's gentleness, kindness and tenderness. I know that all marriages are different where some men are extremely tender, kind and gentle. Today seek out with a loving heart his tenderness, it will look different for each of our husbands. Let us notice his and let him know our gratefulness. In our seeking his tenderness, if we don't feel he is living up to our "expectations" or is not responsive to our appeals remember that He is all that satisfies us completely, He covers all of our husband's short comings. He is our ultimate husband.

JOYfully in Him,