Proverbs 21:19
Better to live in a desert
than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.
Consider Peter’s counsel to wives in light of this proverb:
“Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives– when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external–the braiding of hair, the wearing of gold, or the putting on of clothing– but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious. For this is how the holy women who hoped in God used to adorn themselves, by submitting to their husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord. And you are her children, if you do good and do not fear anything that is frightening” (1 Peter 3:1-6).
Wives, consider what fretfulness ultimately conveys. You may think it conveys that your husbands are not acting wisely or loving. But it further conveys that you cannot trust God. Scripture teaches us to be content in all circumstances. That includes marriage. That is a difficult command to observe, but nevertheless it is the call for wives and for husbands.
Husbands, consider seriously how you contribute to your wives’ quarrelsomeness and fretfulness. You may wish you were in a desert, but you are not. You as head of your marriage have the obligation to help calm your wives’ fears. Just as her resorting to quarreling and expressing her anxieties do not help you to achieve more and be more responsible, neither do your reprimands help to quiet her fears.
Women should not nag and men should not escape. And neither of them should blame the other for their behavior. Follow the command given in Ephesians 5:33: “However, let each one of you love his wife as himself (regardless of her behavior), and let the wife see that she respects her husband (regardless of his behavior).” You will be surprised how much respect and love positively affects behavior when they are given irrespective of behavior.
Psalm 41
Blessed are those who have regard for the weak;
the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.
2 The Lord protects and preserves them—
they are counted among the blessed in the land—
he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.
3 The Lord sustains them on their sickbed
and restores them from their bed of illness.4 I said, “Have mercy on me, Lord;
heal me, for I have sinned against you.”
5 My enemies say of me in malice,
“When will he die and his name perish?”
6 When one of them comes to see me,
he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander;
then he goes out and spreads it around.7 All my enemies whisper together against me;
they imagine the worst for me, saying,
8 “A vile disease has afflicted him;
he will never get up from the place where he lies.”
9 Even my close friend,
someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
has turned[b] against me.10 But may you have mercy on me, Lord;
raise me up, that I may repay them.
11 I know that you are pleased with me,
for my enemy does not triumph over me.
12 Because of my integrity you uphold me
and set me in your presence forever.13 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,
from everlasting to everlasting.
Amen and Amen.