I just finished reading Elyse Fitzpatrick’s latest book, Helper By Design. Addressing the usual list of topics for a book like this–God’s purpose for marriage, companionship, communication and submission–Fitzpatrick takes a Biblically in-depth look at what it means for a wife to support and complete her husband.

This book is fairly easy to read and covers well the aspects of a wife’s role from Scripture. I always appreciated how the author didn’t try to define things on her own or just from her experience, but always asked the question: “What does God say about me as a wife?” I was refreshed and encouraged as she unfolded many struggles women have in being a godly companion for their husbands. I was often challenged by this book to rethink ways I respond to my own husband. I began to consider how I can be a better helper to him by intentionally seeking to find ways to support him and build him up. The end of each chapter has a section called “Finding and Fulfilling Your Calling”, a list of six to eight questions to help the reader go deeper in their conviction and motivation toward being a godly wife. Many of these questions had verses for further reading and I found that when I really took time to answer them they were helpful at revealing areas I need to work on and things I needed to pray about.

I really liked Fitzpatrick’s point in a section called “Common Temptations and Logs In Our Eyes”. She writes: