Trying To Change Your Wife
 
by Stormie Omartian
 
Is there anything about your wife that bothers you? Is there something that she does or says, or doesn't do or say, that irritates you?
 
Do you find yourself wanting to change something about her? What happens when you try to make those changes occur? How does she respond when you show your irritation?
 
Have you ever just given up and said, "It's no use. She's never going to be any different"? 
 
The truth is, we all have a hard time changing. Try as we may, we can't change ourselves in any significant way. Only God can make changes in us that last. Only His power can transform us. That's why prayer is a more tender and more certain way to see changes happen in your wife. 
 
For example, does your wife always run late, while you like to be on time? She's probably not doing it on purpose. She may either be a poor judge of time or else she is trying to do too much. Pray that God will help her to organize things better or not take on more than she can handle, or that she will gain a clearer concept of time. 
 
Above all, don't let anger, harshness, or demeaning attitudes creep in. 
 
Criticism intended to make your wife change doesn't work. It will never give you the results you want. 
 
The only thing that works is prayer. 
 
So rather than be impatient with your wife's weaknesses, ask God to give you a tender heart so you can pray for her about them. Ask Him to show you how they are a complement to your strengths. 
 
And remember that, though the ways you and your wife are the same can unite you, the ways you are different are what keeps things interesting.  

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