Married Monday: Character Traits of A Good Wife Part 3 Patient and Considerate

   Welcome to part 3 of the character traits of a good wife series today we will be talking about being patient and considerate. As I did last week let’s start with defining the traits. Having patience means having the capacity to tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset.  Being considerate means being careful not to cause inconvenience or hurt to others.  So lets figure out what exactly that has to do with being a wife.

Patient

   I have never been a very patient person but as I became an adult I had to work on it a lot. I am now much more patient then I was.  In marriage things do not go your way, or the way you think they should. This is where patients comes in. Being patient with your husband does not mean patiently waiting on him, it has to do more with your attitude about the way he does things. Just because it is not the way you would do it does not mean it is wrong, just different. If there is something he does that just irritates you, you have to extend patience to him and yourself to become used to it.  You can tell him what exactly is bothering you then  give him time to try and alter how he does it, but you cannot expect it automatically.

Here are some basic ways to help you be more patient with your hubby.

• Be quite. When you feel that you are about to say something that is unkind, nagging, or short, stop and count to 5. If you still need to say something say it in a kind and helpful way
• Look at your expectations. Are you expecting something that is just unrealistic of anyone to do? It is not fair to set him up for failure, with too large of expectations then become impatient that he is not meeting them.
• Consider the motive behind the action. Its most likely that what he did was not meant to annoy you. So give him a break.
• Notice all the great things he does. By becoming more aware of the things that he does to make you love him you will naturally grow more patient of him.

Considerate

   Putting others first, when I think of who does that the most I would say Moms do, they put their kids, husband, and family before themselves every time. Even before you have kids wives should be doing this with their husbands. The bible calls us to be a helpmate for him, we are to be behind him and support him. That involves putting his needs before our own.  Being considerate is anticipating needs and creates support before being asked. When was the last time you thought about what your husband would find considerate at that moment and then did it? It takes a real understanding of your husbands thoughts and feelings to truly be considerate. It also takes an effort to understand and anticipate the needs he will have.

Ways to be considerate to your husband

• Listen and really hear what he says and even what he doesn’t say.
• Respect his time, don’t spend the hour after he gets home from work on your phone ignoring him.
• Thank him for the things he does.
• Anticipate his needs. Is he going through a rough week at work, when he comes home let him relax, make him his favorite meal.
• Put him first in your decision making process. Think of how it will effect him.

   Patience and consideration are talked about a lot from a husbands point of few but it is very important for a wife to be as well. Treating your husband with these two will make him feel very loved and happy.

Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the series by clicking on the links.

Have a great week!!