The Love Dare (Day 6 of 40)

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

Day 6 of The Love Dare

When you are irritable, the heart of the problem is primarily a problem of the heart. Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV). Some people are like lemons: when life squeezes them, they pour out a sour response. Some are more like peaches: when the pressure is on, the result is still sweet. – from Chapter 6 in “The Love Dare.”

So far this is the Chapter that has made me feel compunction and the most repentant. I know I am irritable. In Day 5, I was dared to ask Fred to tell me three things that cause him to be uncomfortable or annoyed with me. My irritablity was one. Another (which goes along with this fault) is my sensitivity to any slight or perceived offense.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Love is patient. The Love Dare challenges me to remain calm and patient whenever I am frustrated. Love is kind. I am dared to respond pleasantly to prickly situations.

Why do I act this way? Well two reasons are stress and selfishness. The stress is most likely from overworking and not recharging/refocusing. The Bible gives us various ways to reduce stress: to trust in God to guard your heart from anxiety (Philippians 4:5-6) and to delegate (Exodus 18:17-23). No one can do it all. I need to LET Fred help me, even when I don't think he is doing it the right way. He is doing it his own way and that is exactly right.

How is it selfishness?

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34 NKJV).

What is my heart filled with? I want it to be love. I want to shower people with patience, kindness and sweetness; NOT sourness.
I don't want my heart to be filled with pride so that whenever I feel slighted I lash out to protect my ego. I don't want my heart filled with bitterness so I respond in a judgmental way (Ephesians 4:31).

What is the solution? Love. Let go of the unneccessaries like pride, bitterness.

Love lowers stress and releases venom

Today I CHOOSE to REACT to tough circumstances in LOVING ways instead of irritation.

How will I add Love to my life?
I will make more time for my family.
I will honor the Sabbath in more than just attending Mass. I will schedule nothing for that day and allow myself to recharge and be renewed with His Spirit of Love.
I will take the time to make at least one meal a day a time to sit down and share with my family.
I will make time to eat right by planning healthy menu for the week.
I will make time to exercise.
I will get enough sleep.

How will I let go of the unneccessaries in my life?
I will reduce the clutter by letting go of possession I do not need.
I will reduce the CHAOS by doing a little bit every day to bless my home.
I will let go of my unresolved anger towards Fred's job --long deployments, unpredictible schedules and lack of stability. Instead I will see it as his way to bless our family with a stable income and bless the nation with his service.
I will take pride in what I am giving to my family and my family's development and let go of my pride in my achievements.
I will put my family over work. I can work later. I can't raise my children and bless my husband later. They need me now more than I need to work.
I will prioritize. What is important: God, Husband, Children, Family, Work, Friends. I will let go of a disagreement before it becomes an argument because it is not a hill worth dying on.