DAY 6 of the LOVE DARE: LOVE IS NOT IRRITABLE!!!

"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! However, many people are easy to offend and eay to give way to irritation...(I happen to be one of those people). "When something goes wrong, we quickly take full advantage of it by expressing how hurt or frustrated we are. BUT THIS IS THE OPPOSITE REACTION OF LOVE." I really never took the time to realize that.

IRRITABLE means,"to be near the point of a knife, or not far from being poked." I however am more like "to the point of a gun" (just to be suttle, lol). I am locked, loaded, and ready to shoot with over-reaction. I tend to try n hold my frustrations and anger inside...and the littlest thing will set the trigger off...and yes, I do go firing!

Irriability is one of my biggest faults...maybe some of u struggle with it too.today's entry has so many great points that I will try n make brief but to the point of understanding...so please bear with me.

"If u are walking under the influence of LOVE....U R A JOY, NOT A JERK! A loving husband will remain calm and patient, showing mercy and controlling his temper. A loving wife is not overly sensitive or cranky but excercises emotional self-control. She chooses to be a flower among the thorns and respond pleasantly during prickly situations.

Reasons for irritability: (here is where its really important u look inside ur heart and motivation of life)
1.STRESS: it drains energy and weighs us down, inviting u to be cranky.
CAUSES CAN INCLUDE: relational issues like arguing/bitterness or an unforging heart. EXCESSIVENESS; like overworking, over playing, or overspending. Or deficiencies such as lack of sleep/excercise...these r daggers we put on ourselves and sets us up to be irritable! Its so important we find balance in everything we do! Too much and too little of something will never work...BALANCE!
Here r some bible verses too help with stresses and anxieties: Colossians 3:12-14, Phillppians 4:6-7, Proverbs 25:16.

2. SELFISHNESS is a huge factor! When u r irritable, it is primarily a matter of the heart! "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks"-Matthew 12:34. "Being easily angered is usually an indicatior that a hidden area of selfishness or insecurity is present where love is suppossed to be!"
T
Here is where we need to pray and really ask God what the matter of our heart is. Selfishness can mask itself in these things:
1. Lust-coveting or burning with passion for something that is forbidden
2. Bitterness-when u refuse to work through anger
3. Greed-wanting more money or possessions
4. Pride-act harshly in order to protect ur own ego.

All these lead to frustration of unfilled desires. But when ur desires and heart or motivated by LOVE...IT CHANGES U AND CHANGES THINGS. IT CALMS U AND INSPIRES U TO STOP FOCUSING ON SELF. WE NEED TO LET GO OF UNNECESSARY THINGS. Love will lead u to forgive instead of holding a grudge, be grateful instead of greedy and content instead of rushing into debt. Love sets ur heart up to respond to ur spouse with patience and encouragement.

So here is the DARE:FIRST, ask urself these questions:
1. When under pressure am I like a lemon (when squeezed...I'm sour) or am I like a peach (delightful and sweet?
2. Am I a calming breeze or a huge thunderstorm waiting to happen?
3. Where do I need to add room for growth in my life...what do I need to work on.
4. When have I recently over-reacted and what is my real motivation behind myy irritabilty

FOR YOUR SPOUSE: CHOOSE TODAY TO REACT IN LOVING WAYS TO TOUGH CIRCUMSTANCES IN YOUR MARRIAGE...CHOOSING TO STILL WEAR THE ATTRIBUTES OF KINDNESS AND PATIENCE.

I am sincerely praying for all of u. I am praying for marriages today. I pray we can all make a difference in this world and show people that there is hope to hold on and not let ur marriage be destructed! Many blessings to all...many prayers in this challenge....when it comes to being irritable....I am the worst. I choose today to give God my all so He can transform me.