Unstable could also mean a man who does not have money sense, and knows nothing about managing the houshold, and spend his money foolishly, this is an emotionally unstable man, he does not need to be committed...well, I have to think on that one. LOL
Husbands are commanded to love their wives as Christ loved the church. This would already rule out the nonbelievers ability to keep this command since a nonbeliever could not even have an apprehension of what this means. So then, only the believing husbands can comprehend and apply this passage (by God's grace).
Then, the next question is should a believing husband ever be "emotionally unstable"? I think this is a contradiction in terms. What does it mean to be emotionally unstable? I do not believe that a husband who believes the Word can at the same time be emotionally unstable. If one truly believes the Word, then one does what the Word says to do. (i.e. thought and action are consistent) This evinces itself in mental stability. Any emotion should be consistent with this mental stability. Shouldn't it?
So then what are we left with? A believing husband might hold to a wrong belief at any given moment and act accordingly. However, this should truly be an exception and not the normal pattern. I believe in these instances that Christ himself will correct this since Christ is the head of the man.
Please feel free to offer your thoughts. I am not making these claims as absolute since I have never pondered this question quite the way the OP laid it out.
Well, I don't have Scriptures to back up my opinions...but here goes anyway!
Q: Can an emotionally unstable man really lead?
A: In some ways, yes. I know some strong Christians who struggle with clinical depression, bipolar, Aspergers, etc. They go through times of instability, but most of them seek help from Christian counselors or medical doctors. The problem comes in when they refuse to seek help or take their medications, or when they try to blame other for their own problems. THAT is not an indication of leadership. It is an indication of selfishness or immaturity. The ones who can really lead are aware of their weaknesses, and ask for help when they need it.
Q: If a man is emotionally unstable and takes a wife, is it OK for her to lead? What is meant by a helpmate anyway, doesn't it mean helping your spouse in any area that he may fall short?
A: I think a woman should be cautious about marrying a man who is mentally unstable, particularly if he does not demonstrate the ability to seek help and overcome the problem. If he IS willing to get help, I think the relationship could proceed when he is on his way to recovery. If the man becomes mentally unstable AFTER marriage, the wife may very well have to take over some of the leadership responsibilities. She should do her best to lead and still respect her husband, though...she should not belittle or humiliate him. If he has an opinion or is capable of making a decision that is not contrary to God's Word, the wife would do well to listen to him and consider following his leadership in the situation.
As I see it, what if your husband asked you to lead???...Would you submit to a statement like that if he was having a weak moment and needed your help??? After all, any God-fearing woman ought to know that God can supply the strength needed.
"bcpianogal" made an interesting statement when she said "The ones who can really lead are aware of their weaknesses, and ask for help when they need it."
Well, that's what I'm on this site for...because I need a "HELPmate". So I must have leader qualities...because I've been seeking a woman to "help" me. I can't make it on my own...because there's a void in my heart that can only be filled by a wife. If a man has full confidence on his own, then he doesn't actually "need" a wife, but rather "wants" a wife. I just don't understand it. How come so many women, even among believers, only want to be with someone who has confidence and doesn't need them??? Well, I know the answer...they've mixed the biblical view and the world view together. I say choose one of the two and stick with it. There's a reason why God said it wasn't good for the man to be alone...and I'm an excellent example...because I've been unstable...and it's partly because I've needed a wife for so long that I'm starving for companionship.
People on here have said I'm "emotionally unstable"...but that doesn't mean that I can't be in a relationship...because God wanted me to have a wife even in the midst of my emotional and spiritual instability. God knows I've been unstable...but that's why I need a wife. I've been alone for so long that I panic and try to cling to any decent woman around my age who treats me with kindness. That's why I went into a panic on here recently...because I was shown kindness and it meant a lot to me...and still does. But anyway, God has recently gotten me to understand some things that have helped me to calm down and be more at peace.
