Desires

He gave us everything. Peace on Earth was a reality. Our selfish desires got in the way when we decided we wanted to be god of ourselves. When the Fall happened, one of the struggles God gave Eve was that her desire would be for her husband, or in some translations contrary to her husband. Here are what five popular English translations of Genesis 3:16 are:

To the woman he said,“I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16 ESV

Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16b NKJV

Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16b NIV

Yet your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Genesis 3:16b NASB

And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you.” Genesis 3:16b NLT

This has often been established to mean that we as women will struggle with wanting to BE LIKE our husbands: take on the authority role in the home, work a full-time job, and have our husbands take on more modern-day culturally acceptable roles such as helping with the kids and household duties. These things we often desire are the things our husbands are to do, meaning, THEY are to be the authority, THEY are to work the land (have a job that supports the family) and THEY are to desire US to be in charge of the household duties and kids.

A further look at the understanding of women desiring after our husbands, could also mean that we would not only want to be like our husbands, but we would also desire his approval. We could easily subconsciously make an idol of our husband. The confusion digs its heals in deeper when we look at how society wants us to “lean in” and “partner” in our roles. Modern culture states our roles are somehow fluid and you as a human can do whatever you want as long as your partner is on board.

To my women friends out there who are tired, overwhelmed, depressed, and utterly beat down by your life at the moment, I challenge you to take a good look at your lifestyle. Have you bought into our culture’s view of womanhood? Are you a Christian and feel you are living as He asks but still find yourself beat down? Can you take a moment to ask yourself if you are focusing on the things God has asked you to focus on? Are you focusing on HIM? Are you doing the things he has called you to do, or are you trying to please everyone else around you, such as your husband and your kids? Have you made an idol of them?

I encourage you to read Proverbs 31 today. She was a strong woman! Respected! She even worked and purchased land on her own. She was SMART! But take a look at her priorities. It is often said comparison is never a good thing, but in the case of the Proverbs 31 woman, I feel a lot more of us would do well to model our own life after hers. Those who know me, know I am an over-achiever. Before I was saved, I was exactly what society told me to be. I was good at it! I was terribly lost and terribly unhappy on the inside. Once Jesus got a hold of me, things drastically changed. Go back to basics, sister. Honor God! Honor your husband by being the beautiful creature God made you to be… a WOMAN! Value and uphold your differences and embrace them.