For this book reading, each day will contain three very important element;
First, a unique aspect of love will be discussed.
Second, you will be given a specific dare to do for your spouse.
Last, you will need a journal to log what you are learning and doing and how your spouse is responding by answering the 'question of the day'. These note will record your progress and should become priceless to you in the future.
The entire book will not be published but every chapter will be previewed and I strongly recommend that you get a hard copy for future references.
Ensure that you do not miss any part of this book reading. Enjoy!
DAY 4: Love is not 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. How easily do you get irritated and offended? When something goes wrong, they quickly take full advantage of it by expressing how hurt or frustrated they are. But this is the opposite reaction of love.—Proverbs 16:32
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.
When under pressure,Love doesn't turn sour. Minor problems don't yield major reactions.If you are under the influence of love, you will be a joy not a jerk.
Why do people become irritable? There are at least two key reasons that contribute to it:
Stress. Stress weighs you down, drains your energy, weakens your health, and invites you to be cranky. It can be brought on by rational causes: arguing, division, and bitterness. There are excessive causes: overworking, overplaying, and overspending. And there are deficiency causes: not getting enough rest, nutrition, or exercise. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. This means you must balance, prioritize, and pace yourself.
Selfishness: When you're irritable, the heart of the problem is primarily a problem of the heart. Some are like lemon: when life squeezes them, they pour out a sour response. Some are more like peaches: when pressure is on, the result is still sweet.
Being easily angered is an indicator that a hidden area of selfishness or insecurity is present where love is supposed to rule. But selfishness also wears many other masks: Lust (James 4:1-3), Bitterness (Ephesians 4:31), Greed (1 Timothy 6:9-10) and Pride.
Love will lead you to forgive instead of holding grudge. To be grateful instead of greedy. To be content rather than rushing into more debt. Love encourages you to be happy when someone else succeeds rather than lying awake at night in envy. Love ultimately lowers your stress and helps you release the venom that can build up inside. It then sets up your heart to respond to your spouse with patience and encouragement rather than anger and exasperation.
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.
QUESTION OF THE DAY
Where do you need to add margin to your life? When have you recently overreacted? What was your real motivation behind it? What decision have you made today?
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