In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. 1 Peter 3:7 (NLT) And let the wife see that she respects her husband. Ephesians 5:33 (NKJV)
Relationships become distant when you lose respect.
When people fall in love, it’s not just because they like how the other person looks. We develop love partly because we feel special when we are around each other. We feel understood and respected. Each sees the other’s potential and feels empowered to live up to those expectations.
Ideally, we want these feelings to carry through year after year in any relationship, but sometimes people allow that respect to fade. They compete and compare themselves with each other. They focus on each other’s flaws. They allow offenses to build up because they don’t really talk. Eventually, they begin to feel disrespected, and love becomes difficult. Love is made so much easier when honour continues to go both ways.
You can keep the respect flowing between you and those you love by choosing to focus on the positive in them, but you also need to show them that respect. Respect has to be expressed through what you say and do or they’ll never know how you feel.
You can show this respect many ways. If the person loves hearing it, tell them how you feel. If they love gifts, buy them something in appreciation for all they do. For some, a thank-you hug is best. Others feel honoured when you make the effort to spend one-on-one time with them. However you choose to show respect, do it often!
When you develop the habit of honouring others, an amazing thing takes place in your relationships. Love grows and the people you honour are drawn toward you. So… how will you communicate respect this week?