Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring (respecting) each other. Romans 12:10 NLT
Aretha Franklin’s epic song says, “R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me!” That’s excellent advice for anyone who wants to develop an outstanding relationship. Knowing that your partner needs to experience respect and honor from you, and realizing what that means in a practical, applicable way, will give you tools to move your marriage to maximum satisfaction. Every one of us needs to intentionally spend time making sure we know what spells respect to our partner.
Here are a few places to start that generally communicate respect to most everyone.
- Having a large and beautiful vision for our relationship makes me feel respected.
- Believing I have the capacity to grow and change makes me feel respected.
- Speaking encouragingly to me, offering mercy, grace, and forgiveness makes me feel respected.
- Honoring me with your actions and words publicly and privately makes me feel respected.
- Honoring my boundaries without argument makes me feel respected.
- Being a safe place for me to share my heart, knowing I won’t be judged, and that you will keep my confidence makes me feel respected.
- Refusing to make negative comparisons about me makes me feel respected.
- Taking an interest in the things that interest me makes me feel respected.
- Honoring my autonomy while still collaborating on decisions and goals makes me feel respected.
- Listening to me attentively makes me feel respected.
Have you found out what R-E-S-P-E-C-T means to me yet?
- Pray and discuss with your partner what respect means to each of you. Ask God to help you grow in humility and honor.