Marriage

God's design and calling for you as a wife
This material appears courtesy of Covenant Keepers

Be a compannion
Did you know that companionship is the ultimate goal of your marriage relationship? When God created Eve it was to solve the problem of Adam's aloneness by bringing him a companion for life. But, the real question is this: how can you experience and grow in companionship with your husband? Companionship is the result of doing all that I have discussed in this article. When you are helpful, become submissive, live in an unselfish manner, pursue understanding, and purpose to be friendly, companionship will be the natural result. Think about it, would you want to be a companion to someone who was critical, selfish, rebellious, and headstrong? Real companionship could never occur in this kind of relationship. However, God has called you to be a very different kind of person with a different attitude; you must become your husband's friend and companion. This is how the prophet, Malachi, referred to wives when he reproved the men of Israel for their lack of caring for their spouses. He warned the men, "The Lord has been witness between you and the wife of your youth, with whom you have dealt treacherously; Yet she is your companion and your wife by covenant" (Mal. 2:14). Companionship is the most fundamental purpose and goal of your marriage relationship, and should, therefore, be the highest priority of your time together each day. God has called you to be a spiritual, emotional, intellectual, social, and sexual companion to your husband. In each of these areas God wants you to seek specific ways to develop companionship, friendship, helpfulness, understanding, and giving. As you love your husband in this manner you will naturally notice the deepening of your one-flesh relationship together. This is also where the joy and satisfaction of your relationship will be found, simply because you are fulfilling God's design and calling for you as a wife.

Is companionship the priority of your daily life with your husband? Are you seeking daily to find ways to become better friends or is it simply easier to seek the companionship of a girlfriend or even another male friend? Both are dangerous and destructive to your marital relationship. Your husband must take priority among all your friends and acquaintances. When you keep him in this position, then the opportunity exists for you to build the companionship you are looking for.

Where is your husband asking for your companionship and are you willing to at least attempt to meet this need? If you are unwilling to meet these needs he has expressed, you are in effect declaring to him your lack of desire for companionship with him. But, you may be thinking; "he doesn't respond to my requests for companionship, why should I seek to meet his needs?" Jesus answered this very common question when He said to His disciples; "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets" (Matt. 7:12). In this passage, Jesus explains that if you want others to love and give to you, you must first give this love to them. Christ completely lived by this principle Himself. What He wanted from mankind, He first gave. He wanted men to love Him, so He first loved them. He wanted us to lay our lives down, so He first laid His down. This kind of love is what attracted us to Him and ultimately made us His companions and friends. Won't you take similar steps today to become your husband's companion? You won't regret it!

• Be a helper
  
• Be a virtuous wife
  
• Be a prudent wife
  
• Be a submissive wife