Irritation.
This chapter delves into what makes us irritable.
"He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he who rules his spirit,
than he who captures a city."
-Proverbs 16:32
"Love is hard to offend and quick to forgive."
Wow, that hits the nail on the head.
"To be irritable means 'to be near the point of a knife.'
Not far from being poked. People who are irritable are locked, loaded, and ready to overreact."
Have you ever been around someone like that? Where you felt like you had to walk on egg shells not to set them off? It's no fun, is it? Getting away from that person is like taking a breath of fresh air. Man, I don't want to be that guy!
"When under pressure, love doesn't turn sour. Minor problems don't yield major reactions.The truth is, love does not get angry or hurt unless there is a legitimate and just reason in the sight of God...
"If you are walking under the influence of love, you will be a joy, not a jerk."
In asking the question, "Why do people get irritable?" The Love Dare offers two major factors: stress and selfishness.
It offers some reminders, gleaning from the Bible:
-"To let love guide your relationships, so you aren't caught up in unnecessary arguments" (Colossians 3:12-14)
-"To pray through your anxieties instead of tackling them on your own" (Philippians 4:6-7)
-"To delegate when you are overworked" (Exodus 18:17-23)
-"To avoid overindulgence" (Proverbs 25:16)
It also brings up the principle of the sabbath rest. It makes a practical explanation of what taking a sabbath brings: allowing time to recharge, refocus, and add "breathing room or margin to your weekly schedule." I can see how I need that in my life. I would be better off if I made sure I did that more often. I'm not sure I really do this on a weekly basis.
In breaking down selfishness, it mentions that "selfishness wears many masks," and lists some: lust, greed, bitterness... It points out that "these motivations can never be satisfied,
"But when love enters your heart, it calms you down and inspires you to quit focusing on yourself. It loosens your grasp and helps you let go of unnecessary things."
Wow. During the heat of the moment, I cannot hardly fathom the "letting go" part. To be able to loosen up is a majorly good thing.
Today's Dare:
"Choose today to react to tough circumstances in your marriage in loving ways instead of with irritation. Begin by making a list below of areas where you need to add margin to your schedule. Then list any wrong motivations that you need to release from your life."
This won't be easy.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at February 21, 2009 09:26 AM