My wife and I have the privilege of working with many great couples who are building strong families. This blog is written especially for wives who are married to passionate men who want to live big, meaningful lives.
Why I’m Writing This
I care deeply about the women in my life: my wife, my mom, my daughter, my mother-in-law, my sisters, my nieces, and my granddaughters. I hope each of them grows up to marry a strong man. Strong men are a gift to their wives, their children, and to the community. I want women to receive all of the benefits of being married to a strong man.
The truth is, every man wants to be strong. Deep down, he wants to live an important life, to build, to dream, to contribute to something bigger than himself. He wants to love well and lead well. But most men don’t know what strength looks like at first. They need time… and they need their wives’ encouragement along the way.
No woman marries a “finished product.” A man grows strong in part because of the love and influence of his wife. Your encouragement is often what accelerates his growth.
How You Can Encourage His Growth
1. Realize He Needs Adventure
A man’s desire to climb a mountain, play a sport, or go hunting is not silly—it’s serious. Adventure and play sharpen him and give him energy. Without it, he will become dull and restless. Supporting this side of him helps him grow into a man who can take life seriously.
2. Empower Him—Don’t Overprotect Him
As a man grows, he may take risks and sometimes stumble. Your instinct may be to protect him from failure, but that can come across as mothering or nagging. What he truly needs is your input given in love, not control. When he realizes you are an ally and not a critic, he will see you as one of his greatest assets.
3. Encourage Brotherhood
Men need other men. Time with trusted friends may look silly from the outside, but it strengthens him. Brotherhood gives him accountability, energy, and wisdom he can’t get anywhere else.
4. Affirm Him—Your Voice Matters Most
No award, no applause, and no recognition matters more to a man than the affirmation of his wife. A note on his truck seat that says, “I believe in you” can mean more than the praise of thousands. Your words, your touch, and your intimacy remind him that you see him and you want him. Without your affirmation, he may begin to wonder if he has your love at all.
5. Don’t Just Focus on Behavior
Strong men eventually live with discipline and responsibility—but they don’t get there by being “tamed.” If you make behavior the only goal, he may learn to perform but not to lead with strength. Encourage his growth, not just his compliance.
A Word of Balance
Of course, a husband has his own responsibility to grow. A wife can’t make her husband strong, but she can influence and support him. But your role is powerful. A wife is the one person who can affirm him in ways no one else can.
When a man has the loving support and belief of his wife, he is far more likely to grow into his gifts and talents. As a strong man, he will use his strength to honor, protect, and provide for his wife