Saturday, November 7, 2015

She's Afraid to Give Up Control


This woman we know has a difficult marriage. It is difficult mainly because she is very controlling and insists on being right, just as many of us do. They have been married many years and her husband is fed up. He left her. He’s left her several times when he can’t take it anymore. She was devastated and came to speak to Ken and me.

Ken counseled her a long time. She reads my blog every day and loves what I write but she just can’t seem to give up her control and insisting on being right. She wants to so badly. She wants more than anything to be a godly, submissive wife to her husband. She loves her husband very much. He is a good husband to her. He is faithful, loves her and is a good provider. He works very hard but she claims to “forget” all that she has learned when she gets into the heat of the moment with her husband.

Her husband also talked to Ken for a long time. He encouraged him to take control and not let her get away with her controlling ways. He told her that she needs help in becoming the wife she wants to become. Separating is not the answer and is not beneficial to the marriage although every time it happens, it makes her miserable and feeling terrible about her behavior.

He was finally convinced that he needed to take control. He told her that he was ready to get back together but that things would be different. She’s scared. She knows it’s the right thing to do but she’s scared of giving up control. They are both going to be going against their natural tendencies {He doesn’t like to confront and control and she does} yet they both know it is badly needed in order to make their marriage a strong and happy one. They are both willing to work on it. 

This isn’t the only marriage like this. Ken has mentored other men in similar situations. The men who follow his advice are making improvements in their marriage. Men aren’t taught how to be the leaders in their homes just as wives aren’t taught to be submissive to their husbands. The most important thing they need to do is to learn to walk in the Spirit and do what the Lord has commanded them to do and not in the flesh; what comes easy and natural for them.

Many women have the desire to be godly wives to their husbands but they don't have the self-control to do it. This is where the husbands need to come in and help them. Ken and I keep each other accountable for any sin in our lives. We want to walk in the Spirit and live lives that are pleasing to the Lord. This is the way a godly marriage should work!

For the husband is the head of the wife as 
Christ is the head of the church, 
his body, of which he is the Savior.
Ephesians 5:23

Comments (12)

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I'm so glad this couple is giving it another chance! It is heartbreaking how many marriages are falling apart these days so it is extra encouraging when I hear about a couple willing to fight for their marriage. May our LORD bless them and their marriage.

It is a shame how much we have to learn the hard way. I wish I had known how to be a better wife when I first got married. I am determined to pass on what I know about Godly behavior to anyone who is under my influence. It is humiliating looking back on past unGodly actions (no matter how justified you thought they were at the time) with the light of God's perspective.

I'm also very glad to hear Ken telling men to "man up". I think my saving grace was that God gave me a manly husband. I used to always compare him to Mr. Spock. He is always very logical. Unlike Mr. Spock though, he shows his emotions, but he has low tolerance for ridiculous behavior therefore he has always refused to entertain any absurdity coming from me. He wouldn't get caught up in any drama I may have wanted to start. He won't argue, period. He will go one round of discussion but if I want to escalate it and go again, he says firmly, "I'm not arguing about this" and he doesn't. Like all men, he isn't perfect, but He has been the perfect man to help me grow closer to God. I hope all women see how God is able to use their marriages to make them more humble and kind like Jesus.
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago
It's been amazing to me, Michelle, how many women are open to hear Truth that is usually so contrary what they are hearing from others. Yes, keep speaking Truth to the women in your life and encourage them to be covenant keepers until "death do you part."
Thank you for posting this. I gave wrong counsel once when a sister came to me about her marriage. I have learned a hard lesson seeing their marriage fall apart. Thank you for constantly reinforcing biblical truth.
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago
Your welcome, Amanda. Biblical wisdom is completely opposite the world's wisdom yet it keeps marriages together, unlike worldly wisdom that tears them apart.
What do you pinpoint to a woman so that she recognizes that she is actually controlling? Can you give me an example or two that would help her to realize her behaviour? Thanks.
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago
When there is arguing going on in the marriage. When a couple understands that the husband is the head of the wife and the wife is to be submissive to his leadership, there is no arguing. When the husband is having anxiety attacks due to her badgering him so much. When the husband feels like he has to walk on eggshells in his own home. When she is critical towards her husband and tries to change his behavior. To name a few!
Oh I will be praying for this marriage! I have been there. Knowing what to do, but refusing to do it. Tearing my house down with my own hands. About 4 years ago, I started to change. Bit by bit I began respecting my husband and getting rid of my perceived need to control him. I will never be able to pinpoint what exactly instigated my change. I wish I could say I had a "road to Damascus" moment but honestly, I think I was just tired. Tired of doing things my way and getting the same bad results. I knew I would be embarrassed to get a divorce. Honestly, those were my not very deep reasons for starting to do what I knew to be right. But God, true to His nature, multiplied my efforts a thousand fold and has restored the years eaten by locusts :-). My marriage is better than I ever could have dreamed. Thank you for your wisdom Lori!
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago
You're welcome, Gina. Yes, it is wearying always trying to be in control and the fruit from it is so ugly!
I hope that it works out for this couple. I've lost count of the number of women who have multiple issues in their life and after talking with them and observing them it's plain to see that they have brought it on themselves because they don't want to relinquish control. And I battle with the same problem. Just when I think I'm being submissive and letting hubby take the lead, I start battling with another area of my life. Because I want control. But with Gods help It can be brought under His control.
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago
You're not alone. Most women battle with wanting to control their husbands so we must believe that Jesus has freed us from our sins, as Romans 6 clearly points out, and walk in the freedom that He died to provide for us.
Very good post. full of biblical truths!
1 reply · active 490 weeks ago

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