Greetings Prayer Warriors,
There is a story of a lawyer who had a woman who came to him to seek a divorce from her husband. He told her he’d take the case, but for one month, she’d have to treat her husband like she was madly in love with him. A month later she called the lawyer to say she no longer needed his service, as she and her husband had fallen back in love!
Acting in a loving way usually elicits a positive response. Actions often precede “feelings”.
God in the beginning created human beings and made them subject to their own free choice. Sirach 15:14
We choose our response to every given situation. When a spouse is lashing out, how will you respond? You can choose to enter the arena or remain silent. Or perhaps a question could be asked, “Honey, tell me about your day.” Perhaps the anger directed at you isn’t about you at all. Have you ever noticed that people vent and rage with the people they feel safest with?
If you choose, you can keep the commandments; loyalty is doing the will of God. Sirach 15:15
Yet, you may be thinking, what they did was intentional, deliberate, and aimed right at you. Perhaps. You still have a choice of how you will react. Which will bring you a more lasting peace?
Set before you are fire and water; to whatever you choose, stretch out your hand. Sirach 15:16
Lord, if we are sure of anything, it’s that we need your grace, your wisdom, your love, and your peace. Be our guide each day as we seek to fulfill the vows of marriage. Shower us daily with your grace, softening our hearts. Give us the wisdom to see beyond moods, listen past the tones, and get to the true heart of the matter. Fill us with your love, that we may pour it back out to our spouse, especially on days we don’t feel like it. Finally, grant us your peace in the daily stressors of life, in the midst of disagreements, and when all feels like it’s crashing down. Help us to know that you're right there by our sides. Jesus, you are our only hope!
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid. John 14:27
Peace, Joy, and Love,
Janet
Choose peace. Pass it on!
