Ladies,

Every organization has a chain of command.   It has a leader who sets the vision and direction.  That person makes decisions that impact the sustainability of the organization. However, that one person cannot make the organization successful; there must be people ready and willing to do key functions, based on a job description. Each person's job within the organization is critical and vital to the success of that organization.

Imagine what it would be like if people went to work without a job description and just did what they wanted to do that day. The result - an organization in total disarray, chaos and dysfunction with no chance of survivability.

I came to realize that this is also true for the institution called "The Family". The family is the first institution (or organization) ordained by God, and He gave specific instructions for it to be successful and function in the manner He designed it.

In various passages of scripture, we are instructed to submit to authorities in our lives (i.e.: government, police, employers, etc.). Likewise, scripture also tells us how the family should be structured, with a proper chain of command to ensure its success. See below from the God's Word (GW) Bible translation:

1. The husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is his body, and he is its Savior. - Ephesians 5:23 (GW)
2. However, I want you to realize that Christ has authority over every man, a husband has authority over his wife, and God has authority over Christ. - 1 Corinthians 11:3 (GW)
3. Wives, place yourselves under your husbands' authority as you have placed yourselves under the Lord's authority. - Ephesians 5:22 (GW)
4. Wives, place yourselves under your husbands' authority. This is appropriate behavior for the Lord's people. - Colossians 3:18 (GW)
5. As the church is under Christ's authority, so wives are under their husbands' authority in everything.- Ephesians 5:24 (GW)
6. Wives, in a similar way, place yourselves under your husbands' authority. Some husbands may not obey God's word. Their wives could win these men [for Christ] by the way they live without saying anything. - 1 Peter 3:1 (GW)

Now, I recognize that this is not popular thought in today's society; however it is Biblical. When I started out on my journey to see what God had to say about being a wife, I didn't expect it to be so clear. I decided to take Him at His Word.

I must admit that this was hard to swallow and to put into practice, but I was determined. I'm so glad I didn't give up, because amazing things started to happen. My husband and I no longer argue. We don't have contention and discord. And here's the amazing part; my husband cares more about meeting my needs! He looks for ways to please me!

Important! I also realized that submission without reverence has the opposite effect. If I submit to my husband, but I'm full of anger and resentment about doing it, then it makes things worse.

God knows what He's doing. He created us and He tells us how to be successful in His Owner's Manual, the Bible. He knows how we best function. A unisex society is out of God's designed order and doesn't work. It leads to a path of destruction, loneliness and bitterness. I'm so glad I came to realize this before it was too late.

I'll tell you more next week in My Journey.