Out of his hands

Proverbs 27:16
restraining her is like restraining the wind
or grasping oil with the hand.

This verse goes with yesterdays verse. Dealing specifically with the relationship between a husband and a wife. Have you ever met a woman that constantly breaks her husband down? Have you ever seen how hard it is for the husband to gain control of the situation, to keep his pride, his composure? Is it right for anyone to break others down? If it is hard for someone to be kind and hold their tongues, then they probably don't have much self control. From their husbands point of view, it would be hard for them to want to take their wives out in social gatherings, to expose himself to the dangers of a quarrelsome wife. Especially if that husband is a Christian. How hard would it be to reflect Christ if you are seconds away from being torn apart by your spouse. It is impossible to assume that she would be able to control herself or her tongue. Next time you see someone who tears her spouse down, don't tolerate it anymore. Gently call her out, or explain to her that you don't want to be a part of it. In many cases, girlfriends can be the death of a relationship because we find it hard to call out the actions of our friends. This doesn't help because they will move onto a new relationship and bring themselves with them, never seeing that they may be causing strife in their relationships.

What will you do the next time you hear someone tearing down their spouse? What can you do now for those who need a gentle call out? Pray for them, pray for yourself if you have little self control regarding your spouse.

Dear Lord, I pray that we will all take this matter seriously. That we will practice self control with our tongues and actions relating to our spouses. That we will not be so far from the grasps of our husbands that cuddle time is not an option!!!! Lord, thank you for those who are an example of love and that reflect patience and self control when it comes to relationships. May we learn from them.

Please continue to pray for Chloe F. this week.

Drip, drip, drip!

Proverbs 27:15
A quarrelsome wife is as annoying
as constant dripping on a rainy day.

Now, now. Hold on a minute. Let's just take a minute to think through this verse. First of all, as I stated yesterday, sometimes things are really funny. The very fact that this verse is the verse I am to share and decipher today, is absolutely hilarious. I hope that my small group ladies are reading today.

Okay, so quarrelsome, it is defined as: inclined to quarrel; argumentative; contentious.

Is it easy to get along with anyone who is inclined to quarrel, who argues and who is contentious? Okay, so don't put so much emphasis on the fact that it says wife in this verse. I think it can apply to anyone. But is does specifically say wife. As a wife, we are called to be our husbands helpers, to lift them up in our speech and to support them even if we don't always agree.

I had this discussion with our girls today. Sometimes we don't always agree with what we are asked to do as children. But it is important to learn to listen to authority, to our parents. If we can do this, then when we are adults then it is easier to listen to what God wants in our lives. He will always answer. It will be a yes, no or maybe later, and we have to be okay with his answer. When it comes to our relationship with our husbands, we need to remember that they are the head of the relationship, they are responsible for each and every decision they make, including those things that we may not agree with as wives. If we are constantly quarrelling with them, then we become this annoying thing in their lives and we are no longer growing together in harmony or one, we become separated from our husbands and God because we were created to be one with them. It is a hard concept at times, especially if we are hurt or the decision was not well thought out. One thing we must remember is that a gentle, controlled tongue will reap better rewards than one that breaks others down and destroys our husbands.

A constant drip on a rainy day. I think I can relate to that. I live in Oregon!!!! In fact, it has been misting all day, so there is a bit of a drip from the trees and the gutters. A slow, constant dripping in a water fountain is so nice to hear, but the drip, drip, drip of water into water is not so relaxing. It causes me to feel anxious and frustrated. Is that how our husbands feel when we are looking for a fight, or easily argumentative?

Dear Lord, I pray that we will all try harder to hold our tongues when it comes to our husbands. Help us to be patient and to have discernment with our words. Lord, I ask that you will continue to challenge my husband to be the best he can be. That he will lead our family and that we will continue to grow together as one. After all, it is much funner when we aren't arguing, especially the cuddle times. Thank you for my life mate. Help me to bless him with my words each and every day.

Please continue to pray for Chloe F. this week.