5 Ways to Encourage Your Husband
Most of us are pretty decent encouragers. At least, when we want to be.
We have uplifting words for disheartened people. We know how to support discouraged friends. We speak kindly when our kids are struggling. Encouragement often comes naturally—perhaps thanks to our God-given capacity to nurture.
But sometimes, we fall short of encouraging the one person who may need it most: our husbands.
Some wives may have this nailed down, but for many of us, it’s easy to shortchange our man. Why? Maybe because we see his strength and assume he doesn’t need encouragement. Or we see his flaws and don’t think he deserves it. Or maybe it’s just practicality—we’re pulled in so many directions that it simply slips our mind.
But regardless of whether he needs it or deserves it—or even when we’re stretched too thin—we should make it a habit to encourage our husbands.
After all, who better to build him up than the helper God personally picked for him? (Genesis 2:18)
Who better to deliver “gracious words” that are like “sweetness to the soul and health to the body”? (Proverbs 16:24)
When it comes to my own marriage, I want to be the #1 voice of sweet, gracious, supportive words in my husband’s ears. And I imagine you do too.
Here are 5 simple ways to encourage your husband:
1. Verbalize something he’s doing well.
Surely you notice something your husband does that’s worth a kind word. Don’t just think it—say it!
Tell him he does such a good job with ___. Even the simplest encouragement matters. Who doesn’t like to be appreciated?
Say these things often—not to the point of sounding insincere, but daily isn’t a bad goal.
2. Tell him how you prayed for him.
First, actually pray meaningful prayers for your husband. Then, tell him you did.
Even a quick text can speak volumes: “Praying for your meeting today” or “Asking God to give you strength for everything on your plate.”
We say these things to our friends—why not to our husbands?
3. Say “I love you”—just because.
Not the rushed “love you, bye!” on a phone call.
I mean really look him in the eye and say, “I love you.” Or send a text out of the blue.
Don’t follow it with a to-do list—just let the words sit.
They may not be specific encouragement, but they say more than you think.
4. Know what gets him down—and lift him up.
Everyone gets discouraged. Your husband will too.
Pay attention to what weighs on him, and ask God to help you support him wisely.
Sometimes that means speaking kind words into a specific area of his life. Other times, it’s simply listening and letting him know you believe in him.
And sometimes, a hug is all it takes.
Be the one who’s there when he needs it most.
5. Speak of his attractiveness.
Whether he still looks like the man you married or not, he should still be the object of your affection (just like you hope to be for him as you “age”).
So tell him! Let him know you’re still drawn to him—not just emotionally, but physically too.
For many husbands, this is one of the most encouraging things you can do.
He may know you love him, support him, and appreciate him…
But does he know you want him?
That alone might put a pep in his step.
Let’s be the #1 voice of sweet, gracious, supportive words to our husbands.
Sure, they’re not perfect—neither are we! But that’s no reason to withhold encouragement. In fact, it’s all the more reason to look for and call out the good we see.
So this week, let’s aim our encouragement at our husbands.
They need it. And we’re just the right women for the job.
Let me know if you want a condensed version of this for social media, a printable, or a teaching outline—I’d be happy to help!