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DRIP, DRIP...

"The contentions [quarrelsome spirit] of a wife are a constant
dripping."
Proverbs 19:13b (NAS)

We all know how irritating the drip from a leaking roof can be! The
Bible says that a quarrelsome wife can be described in the same
manner... OUCH!!

That's not to say that a quarrelsome husband can't be JUST as
irritating! However, we are not focussing on the men today; we are
focussing on the ladies :).

Contentious means "always ready to argue" or "likely to provoke
controversy". Proverbs is speaking of a wife whose character is
DEFINED by being argumentative. It has become habit and is constant.

If you constantly find fault in or argue with everything your husband
says or does, at some point it is going to get to him. He may start
finding reasons to stay at the department a little longer so as not
to have to deal with confrontation at home. He may take on even more
overtime or off-duty work than usual to avoid having to be around
home much.

Obviously you don't want your husband to feel like he has to avoid
you. Your desire is to have a close and intimate marriage. So let's
do a little internal checkup right now. Ask God to reveal to you any
quarrelsome or argumentative part of your nature. Allow God to begin
to prune those tendencies from you.

The moment you feel yourself beginning to formulate an argumentative
response to your husband, stop yourself and listen to what he is
saying instead. Determine to respect his opinions and methods of
doing things, even if they are not the same as yours. Even LOOK for
things to positively comment on to your husband.

A lot of times, an argumentative spirit is the result of a poor self
image or dissatisfaction with your life. You may be taking your
frustrations out on your husband when in fact you are frustrated with
yourself. Other times it is because you are dissatisfied with the
relationship between you and your husband. Whatever the cause, seek
God on how to correct those situations and ask forgiveness from God
and your husband for your negative behavior.

As you continue to be positive and respectful of your husband's
thoughts, you will find that he will begin to respond differently to
you as well. It may take some time because he may have developed a
conditioned response to you. But as the changes in you become habit,
he will notice the difference!

PRAYER: Father, reveal to these ladies what they need to change in
themselves to be godly wives for their husbands. Help them to respond
properly to their husbands and to let kindness be the rule of their
lips. Work in the hearts of their husbands, as well, so that they
will notice the change in their wives and be responsive to it. In
Jesus' name, amen.

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join as well.
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