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Being a Godly Wife and Mom: Mentoring the Next Generation
March 6, 2026
On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson welcomes Betty Huizenga, founder of Apples of Gold, a unique mentoring ministry where mature women teach younger ladies about marriage, motherhood, and biblical womanhood.
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Never Alone Widows, Part 2
March 5, 2026
Never Alone Widows, Part 1
March 4, 2026
The 4 Wills of God: Discovering God’s Purpose for Your Life
March 3, 2026
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A Wife’s Superpower
March 3, 2026
Does your marriage sometimes feel like a tug-of-war? You want to be heard. You want to be valued. You want your husband to understand you. But instead of closeness, you feel tension. Instead of warmth, there is distance. And when you read passages in Scripture that instruct wives to “submit” or “respect,” something inside you tightens. It feels unfair, risky, and maybe even impossible.My wife and I once had a couple come to us for help in their marriage. The wife told us that she essentially forced her husband to go along with counseling because she wanted us to “fix him.” He worked hard in construction for a living but never seemed to get ahead. When he came home from work, he just wanted to relax by playing video games. The more we talked with this couple, the more we saw that this situation wasn’t one-sided, as she insisted. She constantly yelled at him, told him he was worthless, and argued with him about everything. She rarely had a positive remark to say to him.When we brought up the biblical principles of submission and respect, she wouldn’t have anything to do with either one. As far as she was concerned, he didn’t deserve respect, and she wasn’t going to submit to him on anything.This wife is not alone. In today’s culture, submission is often described as weakness. Respect is earned, not given. Many women instinctively resist the idea of placing themselves under their husband’s leadership. Even in Christian circles, the word submission can stir fear or defensiveness. Everything in our flesh pushes back against the idea of willingly stepping into a posture that looks like weakness.And yet, Scripture presents a very different picture.In 1 Peter 3:1–2, the Apostle writes, “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands… that they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” Notice what Peter is saying. A wife’s godly conduct, marked by respect and reverence, carries power. It’s not loud or controlling, but rather a quiet, transformative influence.Peter’s emphasis is not on forced obedience but on a heart posture of trusting God. A wife’s submissive and respectful conduct becomes more influential than anything she may say. In fact, the passage specifically states that the purpose of living this way is so an unbelieving husband (non-Christian) may be “won” through this Spirit-led behavior.That sounds almost upside down, doesn’t it? How can stepping into what feels like weakness produce strength?The answer is found in another passage of Scripture. When the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is not just true for Paul. It’s true for every believer. When we surrender our natural instincts and obey God, even when it feels difficult, His supernatural power fills the gap.In the flesh, submission feels like losing. But in the Spirit, it becomes a God-enabled power.This does not mean becoming a doormat. Scripture never calls a woman to endure abuse or violate God’s commands. Reverent submission is directed first toward God, not toward enabling sin. It is a conscious choice to honor Christ by accepting the order He established in the home.And here is where the superpower emerges.When a woman focuses on her walk with the Lord—praying for her husband, guarding her words, responding with gentleness instead of sharpness—she creates an environment where God will work. Her husband may resist arguments. He may tune out nagging and lectures. But it is very difficult for a man to ignore consistent respect. Over time, this Spirit-filled response can soften a heart.Dr. James Dobson has written about the importance of maintaining a “line of respect” in marriage, noting that disrespect wounds a spouse deeply. The opposite is also true. Respect strengthens. It builds and calls a man upward. Many wives have testified that when they stopped trying to control and chose to honor instead, their husbands began to respond with greater tenderness and responsibility.This is not manipulation. It is godly obedience, and it can have a dramatic impact on your husband.Proverbs 31:23 says of a woman who walks in God’s truth, “Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.” What’s interesting about this passage is that the focus isn’t on how great the man is. The focus is on the impact that his wife has on him. It is so profound that it elevates his standing in the community. That’s the incredible force of God’s grace working through a woman who is filled with His strength.Philippians 2:3 urges believers to act “in humility” and consider others more significant than themselves. That command applies effectively in marriage. Choosing humility does not erase your voice. It does not mean your needs are unimportant. It means you trust God enough to obey Him, even when your emotions dictate otherwise.
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Read All Blogs
Policy & Culture
Marriage & Parenting
Dr. Dobson Minute
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Broadcasts
Latest Broadcast
Being a Godly Wife and Mom: Mentoring the Next Generation
March 6, 2026
On today’s edition of Family Talk, Dr. James Dobson welcomes Betty Huizenga, founder of Apples of Gold, a unique mentoring ministry where mature women teach younger ladies about marriage, motherhood, and biblical womanhood.
Station Finder
Recent Broadcasts
Never Alone Widows, Part 2
March 5, 2026
Never Alone Widows, Part 1
March 4, 2026
The 4 Wills of God: Discovering God’s Purpose for Your Life
March 3, 2026
All Broadcasts
Blogs
Latest Blog
A Wife’s Superpower
March 3, 2026
Does your marriage sometimes feel like a tug-of-war? You want to be heard. You want to be valued. You want your husband to understand you. But instead of closeness, you feel tension. Instead of warmth, there is distance. And when you read passages in Scripture that instruct wives to “submit” or “respect,” something inside you tightens. It feels unfair, risky, and maybe even impossible.My wife and I once had a couple come to us for help in their marriage. The wife told us that she essentially forced her husband to go along with counseling because she wanted us to “fix him.” He worked hard in construction for a living but never seemed to get ahead. When he came home from work, he just wanted to relax by playing video games. The more we talked with this couple, the more we saw that this situation wasn’t one-sided, as she insisted. She constantly yelled at him, told him he was worthless, and argued with him about everything. She rarely had a positive remark to say to him.When we brought up the biblical principles of submission and respect, she wouldn’t have anything to do with either one. As far as she was concerned, he didn’t deserve respect, and she wasn’t going to submit to him on anything.This wife is not alone. In today’s culture, submission is often described as weakness. Respect is earned, not given. Many women instinctively resist the idea of placing themselves under their husband’s leadership. Even in Christian circles, the word submission can stir fear or defensiveness. Everything in our flesh pushes back against the idea of willingly stepping into a posture that looks like weakness.And yet, Scripture presents a very different picture.In 1 Peter 3:1–2, the Apostle writes, “Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands… that they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.” Notice what Peter is saying. A wife’s godly conduct, marked by respect and reverence, carries power. It’s not loud or controlling, but rather a quiet, transformative influence.Peter’s emphasis is not on forced obedience but on a heart posture of trusting God. A wife’s submissive and respectful conduct becomes more influential than anything she may say. In fact, the passage specifically states that the purpose of living this way is so an unbelieving husband (non-Christian) may be “won” through this Spirit-led behavior.That sounds almost upside down, doesn’t it? How can stepping into what feels like weakness produce strength?The answer is found in another passage of Scripture. When the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Lord to remove the thorn in his flesh, God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). This is not just true for Paul. It’s true for every believer. When we surrender our natural instincts and obey God, even when it feels difficult, His supernatural power fills the gap.In the flesh, submission feels like losing. But in the Spirit, it becomes a God-enabled power.This does not mean becoming a doormat. Scripture never calls a woman to endure abuse or violate God’s commands. Reverent submission is directed first toward God, not toward enabling sin. It is a conscious choice to honor Christ by accepting the order He established in the home.And here is where the superpower emerges.When a woman focuses on her walk with the Lord—praying for her husband, guarding her words, responding with gentleness instead of sharpness—she creates an environment where God will work. Her husband may resist arguments. He may tune out nagging and lectures. But it is very difficult for a man to ignore consistent respect. Over time, this Spirit-filled response can soften a heart.Dr. James Dobson has written about the importance of maintaining a “line of respect” in marriage, noting that disrespect wounds a spouse deeply. The opposite is also true. Respect strengthens. It builds and calls a man upward. Many wives have testified that when they stopped trying to control and chose to honor instead, their husbands began to respond with greater tenderness and responsibility.This is not manipulation. It is godly obedience, and it can have a dramatic impact on your husband.Proverbs 31:23 says of a woman who walks in God’s truth, “Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.” What’s interesting about this passage is that the focus isn’t on how great the man is. The focus is on the impact that his wife has on him. It is so profound that it elevates his standing in the community. That’s the incredible force of God’s grace working through a woman who is filled with His strength.Philippians 2:3 urges believers to act “in humility” and consider others more significant than themselves. That command applies effectively in marriage. Choosing humility does not erase your voice. It does not mean your needs are unimportant. It means you trust God enough to obey Him, even when your emotions dictate otherwise.
Recent Blogs
Time is Your Greatest Gift to Your Child
March 1, 2026
Persistent Prayer
February 25, 2026
Exhausted Mothers of Preschoolers
February 20, 2026
Read All Blogs
Policy & Culture
Marriage & Parenting
Dr. Dobson Minute
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