In preparation for this post, I decided to twist my ankle. Just kidding…kind of.
A fun summer evening in the yard ended with my daughter freaking out as I clutched my leg and my husband helped me hobble to a chair. What I thought was surely just a minor thing, turned into a big annoyance as everyday tasks became difficult. (I don’t recommend attempting to shower when you can’t put weight on one foot.)
Something interesting happened in those first few days as I worked out navigating without using my foot/ankle as best as possible. I started becoming my own cheerleader. Everything was “You got this, Heather!” or “Come on, you can do this.”
I was encouraging, kind, and forgiving.
But truth be told, I’m not normally that nice to myself, or my spouse. I nag, I match energy, and sometimes I take my daily frustrations out on the one person God gave me to love and cherish for the rest of my life.
The Bible says,
A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof.
Proverbs 19:13
When I read this verse, I knew I needed to write about it. This one little line in a chapter full of wisdom hit home. How much do I allow my house to be full of quarrels versus choosing to step back and let God fill it with peace? How much do I encourage?
I can tell you that I have seen the most change and healing happen when I have chosen to let God take over. On the other side, I have seen the most destruction in times I haven’t.
We live in a culture that doesn’t look at the relationship between a man and a woman like what God set it up to be. Everything is about what YOU want. It’s about putting men in their place and showing we are strong. But the thing is, the Bible never says women aren’t strong.
Meekness and self-control aren’t signs of weakness, they are signs of true strength and God put us on this earth to be exactly that for our spouses. We are supposed to love, support, and encourage, not nag, discourage, and wound.
I encourage each of you to take a look at the words and actions you use this week. Are you more likely to complain than encourage? Do you tell your spouse thank you for mowing the yard, or do you get angry because they got grass on the walkway?
If you don’t have a spouse, how are you treating your significant other, friends, or family? Do you choose to gossip instead of asking about their day? Do you get easily offended and turn cold?
Who we are is a direct response to who God is in our lives. So be the encourager, the peacemaker, and choose to be meek as a sign of strength rather than weakness. I pray God provides healing in all the relationships of those reading these words. That He provides His peace and guidance, and that each of you sees His vision for your relationships.
Heather is a contributing writer for Shaken & Stirred. She is a believer, a wife, and a mother to a wonderful (and sometimes crazy) toddler. She enjoys reading, playing video games, and listening to podcasts. She can usually be taking care of the home and playing on the floor with her daughter.
Photo by Kelly McCrimmon on Unsplash