When in doubt...

I don't know about you, but there are times in a relationship that things get really confusing. You want to do good but instead end up acting selfishly. You need to set some healthy limits, but instead over-functioning becomes the course du jour.

What do you do?

Ephesians 5:21 tells us to submit to one another out of reverence to God. What in the world does that mean? Submission seems to get such a bad rap and understandably so. A big reason is that men have used submission as a whip to get their wives to do what they want them to do. This is oftentimes sanctioned and promoted from the pulpit.

Interestingly, the verse calls husbands and wives to submit to each other. When was the last time you heard a sermon on "Husbands submit to your wives!"?

What is submission? I think the best definition is this:

Extending yourself in the best interest of another.

In other words, doing what is BEST for another. Giving in to your toddler's temper tantrum is not in their best interest. So when you say "No!" and don't give them the M&M's in the Walmart checkout line - you are submitting to them.

Likewise, when you don't give in to your mate's temper tantrum threats - you are submitting to them. It's not in their best interest to develop the habit of winning through intimidation.

So when you find yourself in a confusing situation and don't know what to do - do what is in the other's best interest. Don't miss this! I didn't say - do what makes someone else happy! Do what is in their best interest. (Lord, give me discernment!)

So - when in doubt, do what is in the other's best interest.

Imagine what the world would look like if we ALL lived that out!