Day 6 - Love is not Irritable

A crazy day, today! I started my Love Dare this morning but had to finish up this evening. After co-op today, we ate lunch at my old work, Gordon White Lumber. "Uncle" Jay's 81st birthday was yesterday, so we went to wish him a happy late birthday. Then on to Cameron's hearing screening. He passed, of course, but it was part of SoonerStarts screenings. To the library and home to do school work and fix dinner. I hope sleep comes early tonight! ☺

Day 6 - Love is not Irritable

Ugh. I struggle with this one...

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 I get irritated and offended? 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. A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but exercise emotional self-control. She chooses to be a flower among the thorns and respond pleasantly during prickly situations.

Am I a calming breeze or a storm waiting to happen?

2 key reasons that contribute to irritability:

STRESS. It weighs you down, drains your energy, weakens your health and invites you to be cranky.

Relational causes: arguing, division and bitterness
Excessive causes: over-working, over-playing, over-spending
Deficiencies: not enough rest, nutrition or exercise

Life is a marathon, not a sprint. You must balance, prioritize and pace yourself.

Let love guide your relationships so that you aren't caught up in unnecessary arguments. ~Colossians 3:12-14

~Pray through your anxieties instead of tackling them on your own (Philippians 4:6-7)
~Delegate when you're overworked (Exodus 18:17-23)
~Avoid overindulgence (Proverbs 25:16)
~And don't forget about a weekly sabbath to recharge, refocus and add margin to your schedule.

A deeper reason why I can become irritable is...

SELFISHNESS.

Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. ~Matthew 12:34

Being easily angered is an indicator that a hidden area of selfishness or insecurity is present where love is supposed to rule.

Masks of selfishness:
Lust - ungrateful for what you have and choosing to burn with passion for something that is forbidden (James 4:13)
Bitterness - takes root when you respond in a judgmental way and refuse to work through your anger
Greed - will frustrate you with unfulfilled desires (1 Timothy 6:9-10)

These strong cravings coupled with dissatisfaction lead you to lash out at anyone who stands in your way.

Pride - leads you to act harshly in order to protect yourself

Love will lead you to forgive, be grateful, content, happy for others.

Love will set 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 OF AREAS WHERE YOU NEED TO ADD MARGIN TO YOUR SCHEDULE. THEN LIST ANY WRONG MOTIVATIONS THAT YOU NEED TO RELEASE FROM YOUR LIFE.