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My husband had been smoking Shisha off and on for some time before I met him. At the beginning of getting to know him, I made it very clear how I don't like it and don't want to be involved with someone smoking shisha; not just because it is unhealthy but because, as a physician, I know of how it may become detrimental physically and emotionally for himself and others; including our future children. My words were based on the review of sixty four articles on the subject. He promised that he would stop after marriage; and he did. But he has been persistently wanting to do it again. He accuses me of always wanting to get my way and that he wants this one thing. Even after quoting to him the verse "our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" and how we should protect it; he argues otherwise insisting that he would still do it. As an aside, I've noticed (being one of the older youth in the Sunday School service), this issue is spreading among Coptic men; even Sunday school servants who feel it is not like smoking cigarettes; and therefore have no problem doing it.  On top of that, it has led those and others to dabble in other things like cigarettes, alcohol, drugs etc.

This is all due to the ever-so-popular culture that is earnestly seeking new devices for experiencing life. It is puzzling that the sixty-four articles reviewed were not enough to deter, even the well-educated from participating in this activity. Unfortunately, the discovery of the dangers of smoking was not revealed until massive damages occurred many years later. With regard to stress afflicting young professionals, certainly there must be other creative and engaging alternatives to reducing stress, which will not be in conflict with their spiritual lives: exercise, travel, hobbies, etc. Rather than seeking devices to help one be socially or emotionally satisfied, why not consider the words of St. Paul's comments in Philippians 4:11, "...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content."  

What is encouraging in your situation is that it seems that your husband gives attention to your feelings, In your good intentions to cooperate in submission with your husband, you are not required to be void of your spiritual principles. Pray so you may choose wisely when to express your concerns at the opportune moments and initiate a dialogue regarding topics where there are disagreements. "Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by your fear" (I Peter 3:1-2).

You have mentioned, also, that you are a servant in church. St. James writes to us in his epistle "he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20). Do you not agree that your husband's or other fellow servants' participation in this activity is wrong? Should they not be warned of this error? What about your future children or those in Sunday School who are exposed to this activity because of the church servants? They may indeed dabble on their own with more potent sources. You have an obligation before God and yourself to be proactive in revealing the truths about this practice. "Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression" (Psalm 19:12). The service in Sunday School should be comprehensive with the resources each servant adds to the class. Certainly, as a physician, you have a unique perspective to add to the knowledge and spiritual well-being of the children and your co-servants.

Finally, if all of the above does not help, your husband might need professional help.