A few weeks ago I wrote about The One Thing Your Husband Needs – Your Encouragement. I know for me, it was even a good reminder to focus on my husband. God did not design marriage to be about me. God designed marriage to reflect his image and bring Him glory. So, how am I cultivating this with my spouse? With our busy schedule right now and two kids stealing my attention, I want to make sure that I am prioritizing my husband and letting him know how proud I am of him and how much he means to me. Here are 11 practical ways to encourage your husband:
Pray For Him
Pray for your husband. Pray for his job, pray for his struggles, pray for his triumphs, pray for attributes in him to be strengthened. The list goes on and on. Praying for your husband is so important and a great way to encourage him. Let him know throughout the day when you are praying for him and specifically tell him what you prayed about.
Pray With Him
Pray with your husband. There is so much power and intimacy in praying together with your spouse. This can be a great time of encouragement and love when you pray with one another. If you aren’t sure where to start, I wrote this post early this year on how to pray with your husband.
Thank Him
Verbally thank him for things he is doing for you and your family. Let him know that you appreciate him and are thankful for him. You can also leave him notes that say this or send him texts throughout the day. Be specific!
Acknowledge qualities
Acknowledge qualities in your spouse that you find attractive or things he has been working on. For example, you acknowledge that he has a kind heart toward others or that he is very patient with your kids. Acknowledge him and let him know that you look to him and that you are so proud of him.
Listen To Him
Sometimes this is hard for us to do as wives because we want to get our word or opinion in the conversations, but sometimes just listening to your spouse can be the most encouraging thing you can do. Sometimes he doesn’t need you to fix a problem or comment, he just needs your listening, caring ear.
Don’t Nag
This can be another hard one because of our “mothering” nature, but don’t nag. Nagging can tear your husband down and have the complete opposite effect of encouragement. Nagging makes them feel disrespected and remember how important the bible says respect is to a man.
Compliment Him
This might be one of my favorites. Compliment your spouse. Compliment his outfit, compliment his looks. Remind him how attracted you are to him and be specific. This is super fun.
Physically Show Him
Physically show him how much you appreciate him through letters, gifts, physical touch, you name it. Hug him just because or give him a kiss to say thank you. Write him a letter and put it in his lunch or leave his favorite candy on his pillow. Get creative.
Relieve Him of Burdens
Is he overloaded with work? Do what you can to help him or do some of his chores around the house. By helping him with some of his burdens, you can encourage him along the way and let him know how much you appreciate his hard work and everything he does for your family.
Talk Him Up
Praise him and lift him up in front of others. Point out things he is good at or his latest accomplishments. Boost at how great of husband he is or how great of a father he is. Is he working on a big project at work? Praise how good he is doing or how hard he is working.
Lean Into Christ
Lean into Christ and relieve your husband of this burden. Your husband can’t fulfill all of your needs. He is not perfect and neither are you. Be sure that you aren’t putting unrealistic expectations on your spouse or expecting them to your everything. This is such a heavy burden that they shouldn’t carry. Lean into Christ for your strength.
Other Simply Clarke posts about Encouragement
4 Ways To Encourage Your Husband’s Heart