Do you ever do it? Wish that the second a word leaves your lips that you could get it back? Once spoken, though, it is just too late! So you brace yourself for the reaction to your thoughtlessness, feeling that you deserve whatever you get. Well, I admit it—I have done it!
Yep, that’s me… Mrs. Big Mouth! And, although I’m married to Mr. Wonderful, sometimes I hate to admit it but, in a second of anger, I have flung a jab or backhanded comment in his direction. Understandably, he doesn’t like it even a little bit.
Romans 7:15 says “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do, I do not do, but what I hate I do.” It is kind of ironic that the strongest muscles in the human body are those that close the jaw, yet mine are not nearly strong enough sometimes to keep my mouth from flapping wide open like a barn door in a wind storm?
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences,” according to Proverbs 18:21. We can speak death in our marriages, and we have to be careful about that. Women have a lot of power where our husbands are concerned. God gifted us with a lot of influence. Are we using it for good?
Bringing criticism, judgment and self-righteousness into our marriages definitely will speak the language of death to our marriages. Hurtful words bring our husbands down, when we should be lifting them up. Most women want a hero and a protector for a husband, and our husbands want to be that hero. But let’s face it, they cannot feel very protective or heroic when we are telling them how disappointed we are in them.
The Bible has much to say on this matter so it must have great importance to the Lord. Proverbs 14:1 says that “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” That verse has so much truth.
Here is another one—Proverbs 21:9 says, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.” It can get pretty uncomfortable on a roof, blazing hot in the Summer and blustery, cold in the Winter. Plus, some husbands are afraid of heights. Boy, it must really be bad to live with a griping woman if a man would rather live on a corner of the roof.
Thankfully, that is not all the Bible has to say on the subject. There is hope. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.” I am so glad my husband’s love and forgiveness exceed his ego and pride where I’m concerned.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” God is love and He helps us with our marriages. Only with Him as the center of our marriages can we have this level of commitment to our mate.
So LORD, in the future, would you please help me keep my Big Mouth shut unless I’m telling Mr. Wonderful just how wonderful he is. Amen.
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
Can you relate? Please tell me I am not the only one. Share your experiences, thoughts and comments.
Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God richly bless you and your family.