Part of the dare had been to look for margins in your life; over scheduling, and so adding stress into your life that is the wellspring that irritability springs out of.
This is not my problem. Currently I am not working outside the home and my sons are ages 14, 16 & 21. I have a few ministries I am privileged to be able to serve God and others through. But I've been very careful to not over commit and so I'm OK in this regard.
Showing posts with label Irritable. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Irritable. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Heart Trouble
I think my biggest issue is with my mouth.
However, Jesus said:
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
So this underscores the fact that I have a heart problem.
I continue to struggle with the content of day 1 of this love dare - refraining from saying negative things to my spouse.
I have failed miserably at responding with irritability. Instead of letting little things go, I continue to point them out to, if I'm completely honest with myself, train John to act better. But it's not my job to train John! I'm to be his wife; his friend, his lover. It's God's job to work in John's heart and build him into who He wants John to be - I need to focus on me.
Oh Father, thank You that You don't give up on me. Because I continue to fail; to be negative and irritable. Oh Lord, work in my heart. Show me where I'm not giving You access to my heart, soul, & mind so that I can, by Your power change. Oh Father, put a guard on my lips so that I will speak words of love and affirmation to John. May I be oh so slow to ever speak out about negative circumstances, may I be totally confident that it is the right thing, Your will, before I ever do this (I recognize that sometimes we do need to deal with problems). Father, I so want to trust You and rest in the assurance that You are at work for my good, for John's good. Help me to do that Lord. Thank You Father that I'm never alone. Thank You that You are working in me.
However, Jesus said:
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
So this underscores the fact that I have a heart problem.
I continue to struggle with the content of day 1 of this love dare - refraining from saying negative things to my spouse.
I have failed miserably at responding with irritability. Instead of letting little things go, I continue to point them out to, if I'm completely honest with myself, train John to act better. But it's not my job to train John! I'm to be his wife; his friend, his lover. It's God's job to work in John's heart and build him into who He wants John to be - I need to focus on me.
Oh Father, thank You that You don't give up on me. Because I continue to fail; to be negative and irritable. Oh Lord, work in my heart. Show me where I'm not giving You access to my heart, soul, & mind so that I can, by Your power change. Oh Father, put a guard on my lips so that I will speak words of love and affirmation to John. May I be oh so slow to ever speak out about negative circumstances, may I be totally confident that it is the right thing, Your will, before I ever do this (I recognize that sometimes we do need to deal with problems). Father, I so want to trust You and rest in the assurance that You are at work for my good, for John's good. Help me to do that Lord. Thank You Father that I'm never alone. Thank You that You are working in me.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Day 6 - Love is not irritable
I hate to say this, but I am irritable. My sons have commented on this more than once.
Oh Father, work in my heart and help me change.
The authors talk about the root causes of irritability: stress & selfishness. The also talk about hidden areas of selfishness that will result in irritability: lust-an ungrateful heart that refuses to be content with what she has, bitterness, greed, and pride.
The dare for today is to really take note and make sure to respond to tough circumstances today in loving ways instead of with irritation.
The suggest that, since stress can create irritability, you look at your life and see if you need to add in margin time so you're not pushing yourself too hard. Then ask God to work in you and show you any wrong motivations that you need to get rid of in your life.
A few months ago I would really have needed to put some margins in. But right now I have lots of margin since I'm not working outside the home and my children are older.
God's been showing me lately that I have let bitterness into my heart for things that happened in the past with John that are hurting now. Oh Father, I'm so sorry for my bitter and unforgiving spirit. I choose anew to forgive John for those things he said on our first day of marriage, for his attitude about money, his desire to be away in Yosemite, and for his over indulgence of his adult children. Of Father, empower me to let these things go. Help me focus on being who You want me to be in instead of holding a grudge against John for his short comings. Thank You Father.
I think I may also have issues with pride. Because I don't take it well at all when people in the car (ie sons and John) criticize my driving or tell me I'm doing things wrong around the house. I also get impatient with people who I think are being dumb. Oh Father, I think You that my security is in You not in me. Please help me always remember that and not see myself as more important than I am or react from insecurity. May I be in reality about who I am and what You want from me.
Oh Father, work in my heart and help me change.
The authors talk about the root causes of irritability: stress & selfishness. The also talk about hidden areas of selfishness that will result in irritability: lust-an ungrateful heart that refuses to be content with what she has, bitterness, greed, and pride.
The dare for today is to really take note and make sure to respond to tough circumstances today in loving ways instead of with irritation.
The suggest that, since stress can create irritability, you look at your life and see if you need to add in margin time so you're not pushing yourself too hard. Then ask God to work in you and show you any wrong motivations that you need to get rid of in your life.
A few months ago I would really have needed to put some margins in. But right now I have lots of margin since I'm not working outside the home and my children are older.
God's been showing me lately that I have let bitterness into my heart for things that happened in the past with John that are hurting now. Oh Father, I'm so sorry for my bitter and unforgiving spirit. I choose anew to forgive John for those things he said on our first day of marriage, for his attitude about money, his desire to be away in Yosemite, and for his over indulgence of his adult children. Of Father, empower me to let these things go. Help me focus on being who You want me to be in instead of holding a grudge against John for his short comings. Thank You Father.
I think I may also have issues with pride. Because I don't take it well at all when people in the car (ie sons and John) criticize my driving or tell me I'm doing things wrong around the house. I also get impatient with people who I think are being dumb. Oh Father, I think You that my security is in You not in me. Please help me always remember that and not see myself as more important than I am or react from insecurity. May I be in reality about who I am and what You want from me.
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