Submissiveness: The Key to Excellent Relationships

by: Atty. Carolina Lim-Gamban

​Nobody is exempted from submitting to one another. From any level of relationship, submissiveness is the key to a peaceful and harmonious union or fellowship. It is subjecting one’s self in humility to the governing authorities. It is a trait where one is willing to yield to the will of another out of love, respect, and honor.
 
Submit Ourselves to God
When confronted by temptations, submitting ourselves to God helps us resist the devil, even wickedness. At some point, because of the different pressures and circumstances we are facing, we are tempted to do something which may be immoral, illegal, or even below the set standard. When confronted with these, it is important to have a conscious choice to submit first to God by asking if what we will do pleases Him or not. In another way, we can also ask ourselves or reflect, “Will my conscience be clean if I do this thing?” If the answer is in the negative, resist and submit ourselves to Him in prayer, in humility, asking for the strength and will to overcome.
 
Submit to the Laws of the Land
Many of the problems in our nation can be solved if only everyone submits to the laws of the land. If you are a public official or employee, know by heart the provisions of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees enshrined in Republic Act No. 6713, and be careful not to violate any of the provisions of the Anti-graft and Corrupt Practices Act (Rep. Act No. 3019) nor commit the administrative offenses enumerated in the Rules of Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RACCS). As public servants worthy of emulation, we must be the first to submit to the laws of the land. As citizens of this nation, show our love for this nation by submitting to the laws of our land and take proactive measures to make this nation a better place to live in not only for ourselves but for the future generations.
 
Submit to the Authorities in the Workplace
In the workplace, we can show our submissiveness by first following the rules and regulations. Submit one to another by respecting and encouraging one another. Count others more significant and look not only on our own interest, but more so, the interest of others. Care for one another, love one another. Subordinates submit to the lawful and humane orders of the superiors, while the superiors look after the morale and welfare of the subordinates. As superiors, we must also remember that we are accountable to God for our actions and dealings with our subordinates, and we must be reminded that God is also our Superior and we must submit to Him and His laws, first and foremost.
 
Submit to One Another at Home
As the smallest social unit, peace at home can be maintained if every member of the family submits to one another in love, respect, and honor.  Husbands and wives must submit to one another by subjecting themselves to love one another especially in their times of weakness, to confer to each other every family decision, and by sharing with each other the responsibilities and obligations at home. Respect begets respect and each must conduct themselves worthy of their call as spouses and parents at home. It is but right that children, especially those who have not yet reached the age of emancipation, submit to their parents by asking permission, advice, and counsel. Parents, in return, must care, nurture, and teach their children in the right way they should go because that is the will of God to which parents should yield and fulfill.
 
Submissiveness is a key for us to have excellent relationships – with God, with our fellow citizens, and with our family. As we submit one to another in perfect love, we can be sure that peace will rule in reign in every place we tread upon.