Strong Women, Stronger Marriage (Part 2)

In my last post, I posed the question: “Are you a strong woman?” The reality is that there are two kinds of strong women. There is a culturally strong woman and a biblically strong woman. Culture would tell you that Christian women are weak and progressive women are strong. Nothing could be further from the truth. “Strength and dignity are her clothing” describe the famous and hard-to-live-up-to Proverbs 31 woman. God desires for us to be strong… just the right kind of strong.Society would describe strength as being in control, getting your way, being independent, and not allowing a man to dictate your path. To be honest, all of these characteristics can be true with the use of attitude and force. Strength, however, is not required. Think of toddlers throwing temper tantrums. Although temporarily, they often get their way, determine their path, and are in control even though they weigh just a fraction of the nearest adult. No strength is needed, just determination and a loud mouth. Determination and a loud mouth can get us in trouble, no matter what our age.So what does biblical strength look like? It is actually a paradox. It takes very little self-control and character to be opinionated and demanding. Consider these 3 paradoxes of strength:1. Strength is required to hold our tongueWhen you are faced with frustration, it comes very naturally for most women to flood. (You know what I mean, right? Flooding is when we decide to vomit all our frustrations at one time.) We will speak our mind and often reveal the record of wrongs we have been maintaining. To refrain from saying hurtful things or engaging in a war of words takes incredible strength.2. Strength is required to listenHolding your tongue takes a level of restraint that the flesh alone cannot achieve; but what about not just biting your tongue, but actually being willing to listen to your husband when you disagree? Can you move beyond your opinion? As a wife, it takes much more maturity to stop thinking about your preferences, consider that two people can have different views, and move towards your spouse.3. Strength is required to surrenderThere have been many times when I thought I was right. As a matter of fact, there were a few occasions where I was absolutely certain of it. The question is: does it take more strength to demand my way or to trust that God would honor my obedience? Our ultimate authority is God, but unless your husband is asking you to do something that clearly violates Scripture, your willingness to trust God with leading your husband takes more strength than getting our way.God is not pleased with a sharp tongue. God is not impressed with a woman who can outtalk her man. He is pleased with humility… regardless of our gender. How can you choose to exercise biblical strength in such a way that causes your marriage to flourish?I would love to hear a specific step that you have taken or are going to take.