Ephesians 5:33 states, “However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” Ok wives, so you say you respect your husbands, but do they know it? Just as you want to feel the safety and 
security that results from your husband’s unconditional love for you, he needs you to demonstrate your respect for him in tangible ways that he can see. So, how do you respect your husband so that he actually realizes it? Here are five ways.
Respect his judgment: A husband deeply needs his wife to respect his knowledge, opinions and decisions. Show you respect him by calling on his knowledge in a given subject. Respect his abilities: Men often need to figure things out for themselves and if they can, they feel like they’ve conquered something and are affirmed as men. So the next time your husband is trying to put together the new shelf from Wal-Mart, don’t try to help him (unless he asks)! Respect in communication: Try your hardest not to continually remind him of something he hasn’t done yet—or something he needs to do. Try to word your sentences in a way that doesn’t express disappointment. Respect in public: The male ego is the most fragile thing on the planet. Don’t criticize him in public, put him down or even question his judgment in front of others. And, stand up for him. Ann Romney is quoted as saying, “When I hear someone criticize my husband, I want to clock somebody.” I share this same sentiment. Is my husband perfect—does he make mistakes? Absolutely! But the respect I have for my husband transcends his mistakes because I know his heart. Respect in our assumptions: Try not to jump to negative conclusions about him. Don’t assume the worst!
So, the next time you’re wishing that your husband would not just say the words, but show you how much he loves you, remember that he desires your respect equivalent to your desire for emotional security and love!
Kathy Larsen