Our culture is highly repulsed by any type of suffering. If you explain to others that you use a rod on your child because you want them to equate sin with pain, they cry abuse. They also cry abuse if a husband isn’t treating his wife exactly like she wants him to treat her, not helping enough with the housework or children, doing things she doesn’t like, doesn’t meet her emotional needs, and definitely doesn’t make her happy. In their minds, a child should never suffer from the wrong they commit, and a wife should never suffer being married to a husband. This is unbiblical thinking.

In most versions of the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13:4 reads, “Love is patient…” The KJV reads “Charity suffereth long…” What does charity mean? “Supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.” What does suffers long or longsuffering mean? “Suffer long under the reproaches and persecutions of men, for the sake of Christ and his Gospel, and in imitation of him; such a person is slow to anger when abused, not quick of resentment, nor hasty to revenge when affronted; but exercises forbearance, suffers long, and bears much, and is ready to forgive” (Gill’s Commentary).

Are you long suffering with your husband? Let’s see what God has to say about suffering. “For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps.” (1 Peter 2:20,21). We are told that Christ suffered for us, then 1 Peter 3 begins with “Likewise, ye wives…” As Christ has suffered for you, wives who are married to disobedient husbands will suffer.

Then in the next six verses, wives are taught how to be godly wives whether you are married to a godly man or not. “Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.”

I have many posts in this blog of women who have suffered greatly in their marriages and many finally won their husbands to the Lord and/or from their addiction. There is NOTHING more powerful to transform others (besides God’s Word, of course) than the power of a transformed life. Yes, you will suffer if you are married to a disobedient husband but as you live to glorify God in your marriage, you are storing treasures in heaven. Don’t become discouraged. You will be blessed; for we are promised that we will reap what we sow. If not in this life, then the next life. You can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens you!

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