Submission - does it mean being a doormat?

Submission certainly gets a bad rap from non-Christians, as to most it seems the perfect way to keep women below men and isn't that what the feminist movement worked so hard to alter? However, there is an enormous difference between Biblical submission and subjugation. 

I am struggling in this area, without a doubt. My husband has made some life changing decisions lately that are against everything I believe in and everything I thought we were working towards for the last 20 years of marriage and I am struggling with submitting cheerfully to this. 
Also I was brought up in a non-Christian family and still have no Christian family members, including my husband. So how does Biblical submission work if your husband is not Christian? Do you need to bother at all?
I have been doing lots of reading in this area, including The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace, A Virtuous Woman by Ruth Mast and A Wife After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George.


This article called Unbelieving Spouse from Christian Broadcasting Network sums it up for me.

In other words, you can stop trying to change your spouse, which causes strife in your home, and start believing for a miracle instead. God is working to convert your spouse through you, but by your actions much more than by your words. In fact, God may prefer to do the work without your words.

 "Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of your lives." (1 Peter 3:1.2)

The wife of an unbelieving husband is to biblically submit to his headship regardless. In fact, it is probably more essential as you will provide the living example of Christ to your husband, probably the only such example he will see. This can be extremely frustrating as he may not have the same values as you. In my life, this frustration often comes out in angry words, which are later regretted but cannot be undone. I found the points made in Elizabeth George's book helpful here. She has a checklist of actions to follow when frustration starts to set in.

learning to pray - at the first hint of frustration or self-pity
learning to say nothing - this is what I am struggling with
learning to wait - the emotion will dissipate if we can wait it out while saying nothing
learning to make a list - while waiting, list the items you need to discuss
learning to make an appointment - rather than discussing in the heat of the moment
learning to write it out - plan what you need to say
learning to 'take the blame' - come to the discussion with a meek and quiet spirit

So who should we look to for inspiration? Forget the celebrities on TV, sportspeople, superheroes. I want to be the Proverbs 31 woman when I grow up! I will admit, the Proverbs 31 woman scares me - how could I ever hope to be like her? But I figure if I strive after her ideal, something will be achieved just in the trying. Even if I just focus on one verse at a time, it will still be an improvement.

I found this article at Ordinary Inspiration blog called Practical Ways You Can Become A Proverbs 31 Woman. It goes through the chapter and for each verse lists something you can do to enact that verse in your life. Very simple, very effective, very useful.

I am trying hard to lay my frustrations at the feet of Jesus. And always remembering this verse at the moment. 

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

Linking today with Darling Downs Diaries for Good Morning Mondays.