By Patricia Earley

Have you ever been in a heated discussion with your husband and you know for yourself that the argument is getting out of control?  Tempers are flaring, the tones are crazy, hurtful words are flying out of your mouth – and yet, you continue on with the argument.  Even when we hear that small voice whisper something like “let it go”, “walk away”, “be careful”, you still keep it going because you have a point to prove and you need to be heard.  Think about it.  Even when we hear the warning signs why do we, (and I truly mean we ) keep going?  Is it because if we walk away we appear weak?  Is it more important to “win”?

One of the things that I am learning in this season of my life is to let God be God in all things – in my life, marriage, with my husband, my children, my ministry.  When I decide that I can handle things better than God can, I have entered a very dangerous point that is bound to cause major damage.  Yet, isn’t that what we do when we persist to engage in a discussion when God has told us to “let it go”?   Do we think that we can say something in a loud voice that will trigger a response in our husbands that might change his heart or mind better than God can?  Don’t get me wrong, discussions will get heated sometimes, but it’s how we respond when the heat rises that God wants us (starting with me) to be mindful of.  We all are familiar with Ephesians 5:22 about wives submitting to their husbands, but let’s back up a verse to 5:21: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.  Therein is my “aha” moment.

Out of reverence for Christ.  My actions, my words and my tone should all be out of reverence for Christ.  See, when I’m hearing “let it go”, it’s God’s way of reminding me first of all, that He is right there in the room with me hearing my tone (yuck!), my words (ouch!) and seeing me snap my neck. He loves me enough to tell me to “let it go” because He knows where this is going to end up and how sometimes when things get heated, words are said that take months and sometimes years to repair.  Then, my Daddy God is telling me “let it go” because He wants me to trust Him.  Trust Him to do exactly what His word says – He will do exceedingly and abundantly above all that I may ask or think.  No, God is not a robot that will answer my command, but He will do what is right in His eyesight.  If it is to speak to my husband’s heart concerning me or if it is to correct me and show me a better way, so be it.  After all, He is God and His way is perfect.

Posted under Marriage