Man’s choices in the Garden of Eden will last through the end of time. His fall caused great changes to the world that the Lord had made. What once was a perfect paradise became a harbor for sin. Man opened the door to life without God. One of the consequences of the choices made in The Garden is that of a woman’s desire.
I was blessed to be raised in a Christian home with a Godly example of a wife and mother. From a young age, I’ve known what God’s plan was for me. Not only was I taught by my mother, but His word tells us from the very beginning.
Many times when we speak of what is expected of wives and mothers, we reach for the New Testament. Specifically Ephesians and 1st Peter. Yet, it was in the Garden of Eden that God first spoke of a woman’s desire.
Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Genesis 3:16
Is it any wonder that the desire for my husband is found in my heart? God placed it there long before I was even a thought.
My heart desires to please my husband. Honor. Submit. Love. Cherish.
The desire flourished within me because of the wonderful living example God gave me of a woman’s desire. My mother’s desire to honor, submit, love and cherish my dad continues to inspire me today.
However, since I’m passionate about being real, I do not always desire to please my husband.
There are times when I want my own way. I think my plans and ideas are better. Times when I tell him, “I may not like you, but I’ll always love you.”
It is in those moments when I have to recognize that something is out of kilter.
If God caused my desire to be to my husband and I’m fighting that desire, what does that mean?
Most of the time, it means that my relationship with the Lord isn’t where it should be.
It is often when we’re out of sync with God that our desires aren’t in the right places.
After fifteen years of marriage, I don’t for a moment believe that a husband and wife will always agree. I know all too well that this is simply not possible. Both husbands and wives are human, we will fail each other and the Lord.
However, when a wife is consistent in building her relationship with Jesus and her trust in Him is strong, her heart’s desire will be to her husband.
How is that possible in the midst of disagreement and each of us wanting our own way from time to time?
I believe that this scripture doesn’t just speak of our earthly husbands. After all, aren’t we also the bride of Christ?
God placed our earthly husbands over us to protect us, love us and care for us.
As the bride of Christ, we are also protected, loved and cared for by Jesus Himself. Perfectly. Always.
In the moments when a wife is struggling with her husband on earth, she needs to move her focus to Jesus, for she is His bride.
Our desire should not only be to honor, submit, love and cherish the husband we lay beside but the Lord as well.
By refocusing our eyes on Jesus, often we’ll discover that something isn’t right in our hearts. Whether it be we’re striving against the Lord or that His plan is different than ours.
There are times I’ve found that although my ideas or plans were better, God was trying to teach either myself or my husband something through our disagreement.
When I try to push my agenda and do things my way and not look to Jesus, things usually end up a mess.
Yet, when I focus on Jesus and let Him put everything in place in His perfect way in His perfect time, I see His love, protection and care for me shine through.
What could be more beautiful than a bride feeling the love of her Groom?
In the moments when you find yourself not desiring the husband you hold on earth, I encourage you to set your eyes on the Groom that lives within your heart.
His love, protection and care for you are second to none. Jesus will carry you through. Lovingly. Carefully. Protectively.
