Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
—EPHESIANS 4:32
What do you think of when you think of kindness? Would you use the word kind to describe your interactions with your husband? Kindness is a key ingredient for every life-giving, God-honoring marriage.
We honor God in our marriages when we treat our spouses the way He treats us. In Christ, God did not come with harsh and demanding words. Jesus came with kindness. The Bible encourages us to treat others in the same way Christ has treated us. We are to be “kind and compassionate” because that is how God acts toward us and because that’s how we want to be treated.
Kindness is being gentle in how we talk (Proverbs 15:1). It’s treating each other with respect. Kindness includes smiling at each other, encouraging each other, and being willing to forgive. In marriage, kindness is being concerned with our spouses’ happiness more than our own.
How can you foster kindness in your marriage? What can you do to bring your husband joy with your words, attitude, and actions? “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Allow God to cultivate in you a heart that is kind, gentle, compassionate, and forgiving. Ask the Father to help you be more concerned with your spouse’s happiness than your own.
Father, help my husband and me treat each other tenderly, being careful of how we speak and act toward each other. Give us each a heart that really does want the best for the other. I pray that You would guard our lips and keep us from being harsh, critical, and sarcastic. Instead, may our words offer sincerity, respect, and kindness. Help us do for each other as You have done for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
What prevents you from being kind to your spouse at times? What is one way you can bring happiness to your spouse? We’d love to hear!
Excerpted with permission from The Better Mom Devotional by Ruth Schwenk, copyright Ruth Schwenk. Available now everywhere books are sold. For more marriage encouragement, also check out For Better or For Kids {a vow to love your spouse with kids in the house} by Patrick and Ruth Schwenk.
