BLESSINGS!
I was working on the bible study I am currently in and we were reviewing Proverbs 31 as a task in the workbook, and as I was turning to it, I passed a very crucial Proverb for a woman who looks after the ways of her household.
Proverbs 14:1 "The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands." (NSV)
And I was once again convicted of amount of power that I have in my own house. I struggle often with my tongue, as most of us women learned to do when we are angry because we could not fight physically. But if I am wise, I will build each child up daily, if I am wise, I will find the best way to love my husband daily. If not, the Proverb is clear, I am being foolishly tearing down my house.
With our illnesses, there are days that we are so tired, we feel very grumpy, or the pain is overwhelming that day, or the depression is hitting us hard. Or lets say we had a very busy, stressful week and we did not eat right, get enough sleep, and we are in a terrible flare. I have been in each and every one of these situations, but I am learning that only through reliance on God will I be able to build my house on such days.
There are several ways that I am finding will help me in building my house instead of tearing it down on these days. I think the first answer lies in being honest with those precious ones God has bestowed upon us and flat out tell them that you are having a rough day. Then if you do get overwhelmed, (and we are human, it happens to ALL moms), and snap at them, immediately restore and don't let time go by. This allows that child or spouse to know that it is not them that is the issue. Depending upon the age, they may not fully understand your words or what your illness fully means, but they WILL understand your apology and your hug, and most importantly that you absolutely love them.
Secondly, (and I have to remember this constantly and am still learning just HOW to do it!) take care of your body the best you know how at this point in your illness. There is a very happy medium between resting too much and doing too much and I hope to address this in a later blog. It looks different for every person and every situation, but ladies with the amount of responsibility we have, I am learning that part of being wise IS being as healthy as in my given situation.
Third (or as first priority) stay in the Word and keep praying. Take your worries and concerns to Jesus constantly! I find if my mind is consumed with worry about finances, my kids, my health or whatever may be the case that day, it not only makes it difficult to focus on my husband, children and house, it causes my stress to increase (which we all know causes our various illnesses to flare) .Phil. 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."(NSV)
It is in my hands to build this house of mine. I find it amazing that God chose the woman to write this Proverb to, don't you? It convicts me to the depths of my heart and I hear the Lord whispering both in last blog and this one...I am to teach kindness and be wise when I speak and He KNEW that I was going to get these crazy diseases, but I am STILL called to do these two things, and then He reminds me that I must be wise and not foolish and BUILD this house I have been blessed with. Then He gives me reminds me of a tool that I just cannot live without.. prayer... a great jumping off spot and ending spot for today.
Be wise, ladies, read the Word, keep praying, take care of your health and be honest with those around you... I am praying for you, my yet unknown readers.
Only by HIS grace,
Diane
2 Corth. 12:9-10
9 And He has said to me "My grace is sufficient for you, for MY power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in my.
10 Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, and for Christ's sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong
No comments:
Post a Comment