What do you do if your partner is bossing you around?

Dear Dr. Smith

Dear Friend,

Thanks for reaching out to me. In every relationship there should be mutual respect for each other. It is said that when God created man, He did not take a rib from his head for he was not to rule over her. He did not take the rib from his foot because he was not to trample her; He took the rib from his side, indicating the place she should be with him, by his side.

The same is true for the woman, God did not create her to be the boss over the man, she may earn more money, have a higher degree, the boss on her job, but in the home she is the wife and co-partner with her husband.

No spouse has the right to boss the other spouse around, Paul says in Eph 5: 25, “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it.” In verse 22, “wives submit yourselves unto your own husband as unto the Lord”, and in verse 21 he says, “submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.” There is nothing in these verses that suggests that one has the right or power to boss the other.

You should have a frank and honest talk with your spouse and tell him/her that this behavior is unacceptable. Explain that this is not God’s will for the marriage and the behavior is not supported by the word of God. Explain that you are both adults and co-partners in the relationship, therefore desist the bossing and let the relationship develop more harmoniously. Show your spouse my response and then sit down and discuss it.

It this does not help, then I suggest you both go for professional counseling.

I will be praying for you. God bless.

Dr. Smith