"Feminine Appeal" A Weekly Bible Study to Becoming a Better Wife & Mother

Week One

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We meet on Tuesdays, this was our very first meeting so we got to know eachother, and everyone's situation. We decided after hearing what everyone's struggles were, that we would study Feminine Appeal, by Carolyn Mahoney. We all wanted to learn how to become a better wife and mother. How to lovingly accept our husband and children's mistakes, as well as how to learn from our mistakes. We also would like to learn exactly what it is that God calls us to do as a Wife and Mother.

Feminine Appeal-Back Cover?
"Carolyn Mahaney identifies with the challenges facing women in today's world and meets them with the guidance of God's Word. The feminite virtues described in Titus 2 have transformed her life and the lives of countless other women. This book will show you the appeal of being a woman who lives for God and helps others do the same."

If this is something you are interested in please check back on a weekly basis! I will be posting new content each time we meet!

The Bible Verses that we can prayerfully study for this week are:

Titus 2:3-5
"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

Ephesians 5:33
"Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband."

Week Two

I am having such a hard time with patience, guilt, and specifically choosing to love my husband even though sometimes that doesn't come so easy! I have a very good feeling that Feminine Appeal is going to help me a lot!

This week we met at the coffee shop and discussed chapter one along with other things. Chapter One-Transformed by Titus 2-is about being submissive to our husbands. Although submissive is not a word we exactly "want" to hear, this is something God calls us to do. Being submissive does not mean being a doormat for him to walk all over you, it simply means that God is calling us to respect our husbands. Which is stated in Ephesians 5:3.

Carolyn Mahaney speaks of her friend Lisa feeling too busy to spend any quality time with her family. This makes her feel guilty and unhappy. She tries to justify this by telling herself that they live in a nice home, she has a very good job, and she should be happy. Lisa hears about a church and she and her family decide to go. God convicted them that day with the message of salvation, and Lisa and her family have continued to go to that church. She was eventually saved, and she and her husband decided that God was convicting Lisa to stay home, move to a smaller home, and so on. This really tested her faith as well as her husbands, but by striving to be a Titus 2 woman Lisa saw how God rewarded her obedient behavior. They may live in a smaller house, and only have one income, but God has made sure they want for nothing. They are happy with what they have. Titus 2 helped transform Lisa's life!

I can relate to feeling busy and overwhelmed. I am a stay-at-home mother, but just because I don't have a 9-5 job doesn't mean I don't work! Having two children can be a very demanding job! I rely on the Lord to get me through each day. It hasn't always been that way, however I now continuously pray, try my best to be obedient to God, and stay in His word, and try to be surrounded by Christian influences that can keep me accountable for my actions as well as my words.

I think what God is describing in Titus 2 is this: That we are being watched and should win people over through our actions! We are 100% responsible for our own actions and choices and we are the only one who will have to answer to God for the things we did. Also it's saying choose your actions, behaviors, words, and even thoughts wisely. Use God's word as your reference! That is why He so graciously gave us the Bible! He is also telling us in a way that love is not always a feeling, it is mostly a choice. Something we choose to do! God did not have to love us, He chooses to love us! He didn't have to send Christ to save us, but He chose to do so! He gave us the power of freewill and choice, and everything that happens to us happens because of a choice that we have made!
So women, I challenge you, when times get hard (and even when they are going good) pray! Choose to pray, "ask and you shall recieve"-Luke 11:9, ask God for the wisdom, patience, love, or whatever it may be that you are needing at the time! Ask and then trust that God will give it to you because it's in His Word!

Scripture to pray on this week:

Titus 2:3-5 [[above in week one]]

1 Peter 3:1-6
"Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel- rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror."

Joshua 24:15
"And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. Bus as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

Mark 9:24
"Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!"

Romans 8:1
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those wh oare in Christ Jesus, who do not walk accordint to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

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Week Three


This week we again met at the coffee shop. I would just like to say that isn't it funny that Carolyn Mahaney decided to call this chapter the delight of loving our husbands. I wonder if for her it is always a delight to love her husband. I am guessing probably not, I know that I don't always want to love my husband the way God calls me to. However there are lots of things I don't want to do but still choose to do!


Chapter 2 is about the way God calls us as wives to love our husbands. He says to love our husbands with a phileo kind of love. Which is a Greek word to describe an affectionate love. Where as He calls husbands to love their wives with an agape kind of love which is more of a self-sacrificing love. Why do you think that is?


In my opinion it is because women are mostly naturally self-sacrificing. If you think about the fact that naturally a mother and a wife serves her children and her husband. She mostly does it without thinking about what she's doing and it comes very easily for her. I know that when I am angry with my husband I turn to cleaning and praying at the same time, and it releases my frustrations. In a way I am still serving my husband although I am still angry with him. But that's not what God calls me to do, or in a sense challenges me to do, He says love your husband with a phileo kind of love! It's harder to slow down and appreciate your husband. We women are always go, go, go. God wants us to slow down and remember the reasons we fell in love with the man we married. He wants us to show our husband appreciation and affection. Although at times we don't want to do this, when you choose to do this anyway God will reward your effort! We must turn to the Word and know that It is the Truth and we must Choose to obey what God is calling you to do!

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Scripture to pray about this week:

Romans 8:1

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

Romans 8:28-29

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined, to be conformed to the image of His son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren."

Eph. 4:29

"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Continue praying and thinking about Titus 2:3-5 as well!

Week Four

Today we discussed the remainding parts of Chapter 2! The "homework" that we had was to make a list of at least ten things we like about our husbands and compliment them on those things throughout the week.
(I realize that I did not post that "assignment" so if you would like to do that now, please feel free to do that! I guarantee it will make a difference in your relationship! It has mine!


We discussed our lists and how our husbands reacted to being appreciated!
For me it was absolutely amazing!


Elisabeth Elliot, in her book Love Has a Price Tag, says this:


A wife, if she is very generous, may allow that her husband lives up to perhaps eighty percent of her expectations. There is always that twenty percent that she would like to change, and she may chip away at it for the whole of their married life without reducing it by very much. She may, on the other hand, simply decide to enjoy the eighty pecent, and both of them will be happy.


That really opened my eyes! It is all too true! For me I find myself always noticing what my husband is not doing as opposed to all the things he actually does! I find myself criticizing the things that he does do, if he doesn't do them the way I want them to be done, and I don't really appreciate him. When I read that it opened my eyes and I thought about Matthew 7:3-5 "And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye: Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." I thought it was okay for me to criticize my husband because in my eyes he never did anything right, and he didn't help me out. It was always about me, but God humbled me and showed me all the things my husband did for me and has sacrificed for me. WOW How blind I had been! The transformation in my husband makes me want to kick myself in the butt for not turning to God sooner with my own problems! So I am convinced that if instead of focusing on that 20% you pray that God will show you that 80% and help you to be grateful you will see a transformation in not only your husband, but in your attitude towards your entire family!


Isn't God Great! Praise Him for all the wonderful Works and Blessings He has bestowed upon us all! Praise Him for all the trials and tribulations He allows us to go through in order to strengthen our relationship with Him! God is Good! Amen!

Scripture to pray about this week:

Matthew 7:3-5 listed above

Ephesians 4:29"Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Scripture to pray and think on for next week:

Ephesians 6:1 "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."

(Chapter 3 is called "The Blessing of Loving My Children")

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Week Five

This chapter brought tears to my eyes! It's all about how loving your children and disciplining your children go hand in hand!

Charles Bridges, first written in 1846:
"Far better that [Children] should cry under healthful correction, than that parents should afterwards cry under the bitter fruit to themselves and children, of neglected discipline"
Proverbs 13:24

Our job as mothers is to train our children in the way of the Lord, so that when they are old they will CHOOSE to continue to obey the Lord. Proverbs 22:6

Wow! What a great task. Our main focus should be the future! We should all have a vision for where our children's lives should end up! Looking to the future, if you were to ask someone where they want or "see" their children when they are older, they will tell you they hope they have successful careers and loving wives/husbands, joy, and happiness.

You will not find a lot of people that will tell you they hope that their children will choose to continue to obey the Lord. Or that they hope their children will be doing God's Will. If you think about it, what a great plan Satan has developed! It's not a bad thing to want our children to be successful and happy, however that should not be our main focus.

Our main focus should be their souls. Satan has found a way to pre-occupy us though. We should be making sure to pray for our children's souls eternally, as well as their happiness and success. We should always ask ourselves in every interaction with our children, "how will this affect their souls?" "Am I showing God's Love to my children?"

J.C. Ryle offered this information:


This is the thought that should be uppermost on your mind in all you do for your children. In every step you take about them, in every plan, and scheme, and arrangement that concerns them, do not leave out that mighty question, "How will this affect their souls?"
...the chief end of [thier lives] is the salvation of [their] soul[s].pg.61 Feminine Appeal

The other thing we need to remember and pray consistently about is to always find joy in raising our children! This is not always the easiest thing to do! As, I'm sure, most of you know, we always love our children, but liking them all the time can be difficult! Especially when we are not getting enough sleep, or dealing with talk-back from a 5 year old, or chasing your teen around! Motherhood is by no means an easy task, but with God's Grace we can do it! Try to always think good thoughts about your children. When you think negatively then negativity comes out of your mouth and actions! Psalm 127 I urge you to pray and spend time (devotions) with God, be in His Word! It will make a tremendous transformation in your life!

Consider this, "Crowds of people came to meet with Jesus and have them help them, but Jesus often withdrew to spend time with God." (vv. 15-16 NIV) If Jesus needed to spend time with God then how much more do we need it!

Scripture to Pray About This Week:

Ephesians 6:10 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

2 Corinthians 10:3-6 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pullin down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience in fulfilled."

1 Peter 3:3-5 "Do not let your adornment be merely outward-arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel-rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands."

Chapter 4 is entitled The Saftey of Self Control

Week Six

Uggh!! Self Control! That was my first thought when beginning this chapter! Self Control is not an easy thing to have. Well at least for me it's not!



This chapter was very convicting! I have a problem with eating ice cream because I live next to a gas station that sells very very yummy ice cream. It's only 60 Cents per cone and my daughter is allowed an ice cream cone on the days that she does well in school and her behavior is what we expect. On those days I have a little battle going on in my head, I try to talk myself out of eating ice cream because I really don't need the extra calories, but I haven't once won that battle! I would say I have a lack of self control!


God calls us to have self control as you will see in Proverbs 25:28 as well as Romans 7:18-19. But God does not expect us to gain self control alone! He knows our struggles and WANTS to help us through them! Col. 1:29!


He knows that we have a sin nature but is with us at all times ready and willing to help if you call on Him, He will meet your every need!


So don't struggle trying to overcome your bad habits alone! Instead look to the Truth, spend time in the Word, and ask your Heavenly Father for the help He so willingly and freely offers!

Scripture to Pray on this week:

Romans 7:18-19
"I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing."

Col. 1:29
"For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me."

Proverbs 25:28
"A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

2 Cor. 10:5
"Take every thought captive to obey Christ."

Week Seven

As you may have guessed from the title of this chapter, we are going to speak of sex. This is not casual sex we will be speaking of, or in other words non-marital sex. I am speaking of marital sex, sex with your husband. It is one of the greatest gifts you can give to your husband.

In the media today you will find that marital sex is not always a popular idea. Instead we learn from watching television, movies, and reading magazines that it is (supposedly) more exciting to have immoral sex. Such as with a stranger, whom you aren't married to,or to have sex before you are married. Even cheating on your husband will bring you more pleasure than actually having sex with your husband. This is not true, however. This is one reason the younger generation needs guidance from older, wiser women. Otherwise we allow the media to take over, and teach them whatever it is that the media chooses.

God designed everything about us, He made man and woman as sexual beings. If you read the first two chapters of the bible you will find that God introduces sex almost immediately. God gave both the man and woman sexual desires, and He wants us to enjoy it.

That being said, God has put restrictions on having sex. You are not supposed to have sex before marriage and expects complete fidelity within the marriage. These restrictions are not meant to harm us, in fact they are meant to protect us and allow us to reap the rewards that God has set for us by obeying his word.

Sex, however was not only intended for pleasure. God also calls us to be fruitful and multiply. He works through us to create offspring, and gives us the gift of raising a child for Him!

There is always the problem of lust, which everyone suffers from no matter how much you love your husband. This is why it is important to take every thought captive to Christ. (2 Cor 10:5) It is sinful to even think about another person the way you should think and feel about your husband. God calls us to be pure in thought, action, and word. The Greek meaning of the word "pure" means to be holy, chaste, not contaminated. Avoiding any immorality in thought, word, and action. Simply stated: It causes problems in your marriage when you lust after another other than your husband. If you find yourself thinking these thoughts take your thoughts captive to Christ and change your thinking. Choose to think of your husband instead.

In Titus 2 God also calls us to be submissive to our husbands. This means that although you may not feel like having sex, you should choose to do so. As husband and wife we belong to one another entirely and are to be unselfish, and not withhold the pleasure of sex. (1 Cor. 7:3-5) You can prepare yourself through prayer. Lean on God and ask Him to help you want to have sex with your husband. You may be embarrassed about speaking to God about such things, but remember He hears your every thought, so don't be ashamed. In fact be grateful that you have a Heavenly Father to help you out with your every need!

One way you could prepare yourself for having sex is to fantasize about your husband. It will make you want him when the day is done! Also make your self attractive, as well as being available. These will all help provide exciting sex, and you know that exciting sex would top your husbands list of things that most please him!

Remember that God intended us to have pleasure during intercourse, He expects it, that is why He created us this way!

I know that there are many of you who have had past sexual encounters. If you have reaped the consequences of sin from those acts, be it willing or unwilling, rest assured that nothing is beyond the reach of God's grace. Turn to Him for your comfort and forgiveness and begin to heal. After you have been forgiven you can reap the rewards that God wants you to have.

Scripture to pray on this week:

2 Cor. 10:5
"Take every thought captive to obey Christ."

1 Cor. 7:3-5
"The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

Week Eight

Have you ever been ashamed or maybe a little embarrassed that you are a "stay-at-home" mom? Personally I am thrilled to do what I do! What big shot executive, lawyer, or even doctor can say that they spend the majority of their time with the people they love most? My husband can't even say that, although what he does is equally as important because without him I wouldn't be able to do what I do! I am the manager, supervisor, big shot genius in my home! I am the one that my children turn to when they don't know the answer to one of life's questions, the one they run to when they've made a mistake, and the one that gets lots of hugs and kisses every day!

That is my job description, however that is not to speak of the dirty diapers, dirty laundry, and dirty dishes I clean everyday.

This chapter is about obeying what God has commanded us to do as wives and mothers, which to to honor and enjoy our home. There are many verses of Scripture that provide us with insight into exactly what God calls us to do. 1 Tim. 5:14, 1 Tim. 5:8, and Proverbs 31 are all good examples. Scripture clearly states that men are responsible for providing while women are to be caretakers of the home. Some of you may work outside of the home, but this does not allow you to rid yourself of your responsibility of being the main caretaker of your home and your children.

I know that after working all day it's hard to come home and want to clean your home, but God not only calls us to do so, but to honor and enjoy doing so...Ugh! Right, well guess what, although this may sound draining He doesn't ask us to do this alone. He equipped us well with Scripture, the Holy Spirit and prayer! If you find yourself struggling, go to your quiet place and pray. Ask God for help, help with anything! Including your attitude.

So as for all of us women we need to rely on prayer, and know that we are not alone in our endeavors as mothers, wives, and women! Let's do our best, count every little thing as a victory, and smile while we do it! We can rely on one another for support. (Feel free to use the guestbook below to chat up a storm, ask for prayer, or any other little thing you'd like to add!)

Scripture to pray on this week:

1 Timothy 5:14
"Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully."

1 Timothy 5:8
"But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Proverbs 31

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also and he praises her. Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."

Week Nine

Kindness: a sincere desire for our husbands' and children's happiness

Being a wife and mother I know how easily it is to condemn our husband or children for something they've done wrong. It may have even been an accident, but it hurt us in some way, so we retaliate with condemnation.

I haven't always been this way, I used to be kind and caring all the time! Until I never had a moment of peace and quiet, couldn't put what I wanted to put where I wanted to put it for fear that the baby would get hurt, and couldn't lose all the weight I'd gained since giving birth.
You are probably thinkin WOW she's very selfish. I am selfish, it's my sin nature, but my Heavenly Father guides me through that. He reminds me that selfishness is not of Him, and that when I look to all those things for joy it's like falling in an empty well. I have learned to turn my focus to pleasing God and everything else falls into place.

So what is it exactly that I am trying to tell you? Pay attention this is very important!
We can not accomplish ANYTHING in our own strength. We can not change that selfish behavior or condemning attitude on our own, and God knows that which is why He's equipped us with so many tools! In order to achieve true kindness we need to ask for help from our Almighty Helper.

Three Sins that Block the Godly Desire to be Kind

Bitterness, Anger, and Judging.

You may say well I have all of those, or maybe you have none. Let's pray that God shows you what areas of your life are not lined up with scripture.

Anger stems from a sinful desire to have our own way. When something does not go accordingly to our plans or visions we get angry. My daughter started kindergarten this year, and we have had some wonderful times as well as some struggles. She is five years old, and was an only child for three years. During that time she was spoiled, so we are correcting our wrongs in the way we chose to raise her. By the time she started kindergarten I was under the impression that her behavior was way better.
Our school has a "yeah" ticket theory. If you have good behavior and do everything that is asked of you then you are rewarded with a "yeah" ticket, however if you choose to disobey you get a "red" ticket explaining to your parents what it is that you've done wrong.
When she started Kindergarten she had many "yeah" tickets and only a couple "red" tickets, however as the year progressed she began getting more "red" tickets. It made me angry because I knew that she was capable of behaving better, so I would react and get angry with her. She would then be grounded or have to go to bed early. God has gracefully blessed me with patience in the months that she has been attending school, and I know am patient and calm. We sit down and talk about why she received a "red" ticket and what she could have done differently.
I know that had it not been for my Heavenly Father blessing me and calming me my relationship with my daughter would still be pretty rocky because of my anger issues. I am her favorite person again thanks to my answered prayers.

This is not to say that she doesn't get disciplined for misbehaving at school, I am just more patient and do not jump to conclusions without talking with her first.

So you see how anger is stemmed from not getting your way. I wanted my daughter to attend Kindergarten and be a perfect little angel, of course that isn't going to happen with any child, and so I needed to lean on God for support through the times that I want to explode. He is faithful, He gets me through every single time I ask!

A question you could ask yourself to help you with the sinful desire of getting our own way is this "What do I want more than I want to please God?" Then you can repent of that sin and be forgiven!

Bitterness is the sin of another person that has done something to us. We are more bitter about people who are closer to us.

Even if the person did the most horrible thing to you God says there is no justification for bitterness. (Eph. 4:31)

As mommy's and wives we have to be careful as to not feel bitterness toward our children and husbands'. We should all know that our family will make mistakes, hurt our feelings, and wrong us in some way during their lifetime. No one is perfect except Christ. One thing we can do to prepare ourselves is pray for the future. Tell God your worries of future bitterness and then rid yourself of the worry. Believe that when the time comes you will be calm and God will lead you in the way you should go.

If you are harboring bitterness you should pray that God will break you free of that bondage. Do not dwell on what has been, your life is moving forward and everyday is a new day. Forgive because God has forgiven you in Christ.

Judging, or looking for the worst in others is something we have all experienced at one time or another. God says even the slightest negative thought is sin! When we judge our husbands' and children it can cause us to continually think negatively of them which takes away from our kindness toward them. Scripture tells us to resist this temptation. (John 7:24) If you find yourself thinking negatively or judging those around you take your thoughts captive to Christ. Compare them to scripture. (2 Cor. 10:5)

My Thoughts on this Chapter

I still constantly find myself struggling with all three sins listed above! I continually pray that God will stay by my side, because without His Grace my life would completely fall apart! I strive to be a Proverbs 31 kind of wife, and do so with God's help.
I want to leave you with this though: "You are not alone, and are not working alone. Call on God's help, that is what He calls you to do! He wants to be there for you, He wants to be a helping hand, and He wants to be the source of your joy! So reach out to Him, He works miracles!"

Scripture to pray on this week:

Ephesians 4:31-32

"Let all bitterness be put away from you Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you"

John 7:24

"Do not judge by appearances, but with right judgment."

1 Corinthians 31:7

"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

2 Corinthians 10:5

"Take every thought captive to Christ."

Week ten

Ahh, submission. Carolyn Mahaney does a wonderful job describing what God calls us as wives to voluntarily do, and that is to "voluntarily put ourselves under our husbands' leadership."
Let me start by saying I have not always been submissive to my own husband, in fact until I read this book I did not even know I was supposed to be submissive. I grew up in a home that taught me to hate any type of authority, so even submitting to God was hard for me, until I learned the Truth, and asked God's help. Guess what, God also offers His helping hand in aiding us not only to be submissive to our husbands' leadership but He gives us joy while we are doing it!
My relationship recently went through a rocky spot, actually that rocky spot was more like a mountain that lasted for a year and a half. Maybe that is where your relationship is and you are wondering the same thing I did back then. "Where did we go wrong and how do we fix it?"
There are many ways to answer that question, and you can research books and the internet for the solution, but why not turn to God's word to find the answer, you'll save yourself a lot of time and much heartache!
Here is what God has to say about it:
Ephesians 5:22-23 "The husband is to mirror the sacrificial love of Christ by laying down his life for his wife, and the wife is to exemplify the Church's joyful submission to Christ by following her husband's leadership."
Some of you may say, well my husband isn't "laying down his life" for me. I want you to know that it is impossible to change another person, sure you can aid them in changing but that's only if they want to change. You are only really responsible for your own actions, and you can only control your own actions. So let's focus on changing you and trusting God when He says that "if you ask, you will receive." The most beneficial thing you could possibly do for your husband is pray. "Pray without ceasing." I find myself in constant silent conversation with the Lord, in fact it's the only way I manage not losing my temper when my husband leaves his dirty socks on the floor, or puts the toilet paper on the roll wrong.
I can also testify that God is faithful, now that I obey his command to submit to my husband's leadership our relationship has turned around 180%! For example, my husband stopped telling me how beautiful and amazing I am after we "tied the knot" since I've been submissive by God's grace, there hasn't been a day that has gone by he hasn't said something positive and actually meant it!
So pray tonight that God will put the desire to be submissive to your own husband in your heart and that He will lead you and guide you to know exactly how He wants you to do so. Don't forget to pray for your husband as well!

Scripture to pray on this week:

Ephesians 5:22-23
"The husband is to mirror the sacrificial love of Christ by laying down his life for his wife, and the wife is to exemplify the Church's joyful submission to Christ by following her husband's leadership."

Titus 2:3-5
"the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."

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Did you know that God sent His only begotten Son, that whoever belives in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life? John 3:16 That means that if you believe in Jesus Christ and accept him as your personal Savior, you can be forgiven of your sins and filled with the Holy Spirit. You can have everlasting life!
If you would like to talk more about being or getting saved feel free to email me!

(JenysieJane@gmail.com)

Ladies,
I would like to thank you for going through Feminine Appeal with me. It has been a joy to share this with you. Sadly we have come to the end of the book, I've learned so much and pray that God has spoken to you through my words and the words of Carolyn Mahaney.
I will be going through Idols of the Heart next, when I begin I will post the link here. I personally invite you to join in on the fun!

Sincerely,
Alaina Ellington
(Jenysie)

p.s.
There is a ninth chapter, it is a beautiful story dedicated to Carolyn Mahaney's mother. I recommend reading it!