Has your husband ever experienced a season of doubt or discouragement?
- Doubting his faith
- Doubting his ability to lead
- Doubting his calling
- Doubting his ability to parent well
- Discouraged in his career
- Discouraged as a husband
- Discouraged over sin struggles
- Discouraged over the injustices of this fallen world
I’m sure there are some men who will go through their entire lives and never truly experience a season of doubt, but I’m willing to bet they are the exception rather than the rule. Many men will struggle with feelings of inadequacy at some point, whether in one area of their lives or every area. Either way, we as wives have an amazing opportunity to encourage and strengthen our husbands during their seasons of doubt.
Personally, I struggle as a wife when my husband wrestles with this. Normally he is the one encouraging me, and often I find myself unsure how to be the encourager. When I ask him what he needs from me, his answer is, “I don’t know,” which isn’t helpful from my perspective. I don’t want to spout off cliché expressions, nor do I want to ignore and minimize his emotions. And while many of my attempts to comfort him are appreciated, they often don’t impact his attitude.
My husband is currently in one of these seasons of doubt, and as I have been praying for the right words, the Lord continues to bring me to this question:
What do you know to be true?
Scripture.
Scripture will not change for my husband even when his circumstances do. When I encourage with God’s Word, it does not return void. In speaking truth over my husband, I am giving him something tangible to cling to about himself and his situation that is true despite his doubts. I am finding this form of encouragement works. It lifts my husband’s spirit, empowers my words to make a positive change, and teaches our children the incredible power of proclaiming God’s Word. While I am not excited about this burden my husband is carrying, I am grateful for the opportunity to come alongside him and point him to life-giving and freedom-producing words.
How do you encourage your husband during seasons of doubt and discouragement?
Sharing with Wedded Wednesday.
Debi Walter says
I’ve found he appreciates it when I pray aloud for him. This points him to the Throne of Grace–the only place of refuge for us when we’re struggling. And is helps him see the faith that I carry for him and what God is currently doing in his life. When we’re discouraged, usually all we can see is the failure in front of our face. As we pray to God expressing our gratitude for our husbands it encourages them and reminds them of the truth–who they are in Christ, and what He has faithfully done in and through him.