And . . . [let your adornment be] the secret person of the heart in the incorruptible apparel of the quiet and mild spirit.”​—1 Pet. 3:1-4.

16. What benefits may come to a wife who heeds the Bible’s counsel despite her husband’s disregard for it?

¹⁶ Wifely subjection may not always be easy, especially if the husband is inconsiderate, unreasonable and even shirks responsibility. One thing is certain, however; the situation will not get better if the wife tries to assume headship, constantly nags or criticizes her husband and expects him to do things far beyond his capabilities. (Prov. 21:9, 19; 27:15, 16) Rather than “blowing up” over some neglect of his, a wife will have far better results by trying to encourage her husband and maintaining calmness and an even temper under trying circumstances. Her “quiet and mild spirit” may be just what is needed to cause him to think seriously about the way he is handling himself and to start making changes in his life. Even though progress may be very slow, a wife who applies the Bible’s counsel gains. She avoids the tremendous emotional stress, bitterness and unpleasantness to which open confrontations with her husband would lead.​—Prov. 14:29, 30; 1 Pet. 3:10, 11.