So...communication! I think we can all relate to how hard it is wearing so many different hats all the time...and how mentally draining it can be as well. At the end of the day, I am exhausted, have limited brain capacity to create an intelligible sentence, and need to eat! According to biology, it goes against all things "natural" to be able to have the kindness in communication that we need to maintain healthy relationships with our husbands at the end of any day! But thank God that He is in the "SUPERnatural" business, and He will give us that supernatural wisdom and grace if we just ask. We just must personally commit to practicing this gift of sweet speech, and He will grow it within us.
This weeks blog assignment is to pray seriously about implementing this form of positive communication with your husband. "Say what you mean...but say it sweetly!" I am anxious to hear your comments on this chapter...comment about the concepts that were both challenging but also convicting in Chapter 3.
3 comments:
I've done much better working as a team after reading Ch. 2. I read it aloud with my husband, which may have been a mistake or a blessing not sure which just yet. He helps me, always in a joking manner, by saying things like "Well that isn't being very respectful now is it?" I can't help but laugh at him and agree that it usually isn't. Ch. 3 wasn't as convicting to me because my husband and I have great communication. I will have to work on the "say what you mean, but don't say it meanly!" I often find myself spouting out the words as they rush to my head, not always realizing their harshness. I always end up having to explain in a nicer way later after he calms down. This is definitely an area I could use some work in.
Something that stood out to me (that I already knew but apparently needed to be reminded again) was on page 51 when she writes, "If you want to be wise, then remember that, 'in the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips in wise' (proverbs 10:19)." That was a very good reminder for me and something I have worked on in the past. BUT it's so easy as a female to let your guard down so it really is a constant thing I need to remind myself of and pray about often. I find that if I am in prayer about it that it is SO MUCH easier to actually live that way. So page 53 spoke to me as well where she lists "God's Better Way" of doing things and particularly "...learning to pray..." and "...learning to say nothing..."
Since reading this chapter, I have been really trying the "not saying anything" strategy if what I have to say is not positive or may come out being snippy. It has really seemed to cut off potential conflicts early on and create a more peaceful atmosphere for our family.
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