Post by TaQuilla on Jul 18, 2007 9:01:10 GMT -5
Let me start by saying that this chapter was right on time, because with this house stuff, yours truly has been having some communication issues.
Learning to communicate
Sweetness of the lips increases learning. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pro 16:21,23
Like apples of Gold...
We're reminded of Pro. 25:11 that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Our goals/keys for godly speech are:
*speaking soft words {to turn away wrath}(Prov 15:1, 25:15)
*speaking sweet words {to help get your point across}(Pr. 16:21)
*speaking suitable words {to provide health to the bones}(Pr 16:24)
*speaking scant {restraining our lips to avoid sinning} (Pr 10:19)
*speaking slowly {listen much, speak little} (James 1:9)
Like a Constant Dripping
When we don't communicate in God's way:
*we're like a continual dripping on a rainy day(pr 19:13; 27:15)
*it's better to dwell on the corner of the house, or in the wilderness, than be around us (pr 21:9, 19)
We're urged to evaluate our speech patterns, and then:
Perform Radical Surgery
* Take it to the Lord in prayer, as Hannah did (1 Sam 1) (Heb 4:15-16)
* Make a decision to "cut it out", as Jesus told us to do w/the eye that causes us to sin (Mat 5:29-30) because our sinful speech patterns do not accomplish the will or purposes of God (Jam 1:20).
*Elizabeth tells us to try one day of saying nothing, but instead taking every thought captive.
Proceeding Ahead
When we find ourselves failing in this area we should:
*stop and say nothing
*take a break (from our old ways)
*take a step back (pray & search our heart)
*regroup (decide to do it God's way)
*proceed ahead
continue repeating this process until it becomes second nature.
God's Better Way
The following suggestions are given in supporting our efforts:
*pray at the first hint of frustration/self-pity
*don't say anything until you calm down
*wait for (God's guidance as to) the right time
*make a list of what you want to say, [glow=red,2,300](get your thoughts together, and pray over that list before opening your mouth)[/glow]
*make an appointment [glow=red,2,300](don't just bombard them w/your thoughts if it's an inconvenient time for them - it will only make them less likely to listen- let them know that you need to talk and figure out a time when this is possible)[/glow]
*take the blame (1Pet 3:4) by approaching your statements from a "Help me understand..." "I'm having troubles seeing how this could work" vs " Why do you always" or "Your idea is stupid" standpoint.
Ask God for help w/Godly discipline over the thoughts of your heart and the words of your mouth (Ps 19:14)
"Little things that make a big difference"
1. Follow God's guidelines for good communication.
2. Identify any speech patterns that must go.
3. Make it a goal to encourage your husband (Pr 12:18;Eph 4:29) [glow=red,2,300]AKA, head on over to the DH encouragement thread [/glow]
4. Be quick to say you're sorry.
5. Say what you mean, but don't say it meanly!
6. Seek to please God with your words (Pro 19:14)
Off topic: I gotta say I love the spell check feature, ya'll wouldn't believe how many typos I had in this one, lol I don't even wanna think about the ones that it/I didn't catch.
Learning to communicate
Sweetness of the lips increases learning. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips. Pro 16:21,23
Like apples of Gold...
We're reminded of Pro. 25:11 that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Our goals/keys for godly speech are:
*speaking soft words {to turn away wrath}(Prov 15:1, 25:15)
*speaking sweet words {to help get your point across}(Pr. 16:21)
*speaking suitable words {to provide health to the bones}(Pr 16:24)
*speaking scant {restraining our lips to avoid sinning} (Pr 10:19)
*speaking slowly {listen much, speak little} (James 1:9)
Like a Constant Dripping
When we don't communicate in God's way:
*we're like a continual dripping on a rainy day(pr 19:13; 27:15)
*it's better to dwell on the corner of the house, or in the wilderness, than be around us (pr 21:9, 19)
We're urged to evaluate our speech patterns, and then:
Perform Radical Surgery
* Take it to the Lord in prayer, as Hannah did (1 Sam 1) (Heb 4:15-16)
* Make a decision to "cut it out", as Jesus told us to do w/the eye that causes us to sin (Mat 5:29-30) because our sinful speech patterns do not accomplish the will or purposes of God (Jam 1:20).
*Elizabeth tells us to try one day of saying nothing, but instead taking every thought captive.
Proceeding Ahead
When we find ourselves failing in this area we should:
*stop and say nothing
*take a break (from our old ways)
*take a step back (pray & search our heart)
*regroup (decide to do it God's way)
*proceed ahead
continue repeating this process until it becomes second nature.
God's Better Way
The following suggestions are given in supporting our efforts:
*pray at the first hint of frustration/self-pity
*don't say anything until you calm down
*wait for (God's guidance as to) the right time
*make a list of what you want to say, [glow=red,2,300](get your thoughts together, and pray over that list before opening your mouth)[/glow]
*make an appointment [glow=red,2,300](don't just bombard them w/your thoughts if it's an inconvenient time for them - it will only make them less likely to listen- let them know that you need to talk and figure out a time when this is possible)[/glow]
*take the blame (1Pet 3:4) by approaching your statements from a "Help me understand..." "I'm having troubles seeing how this could work" vs " Why do you always" or "Your idea is stupid" standpoint.
Ask God for help w/Godly discipline over the thoughts of your heart and the words of your mouth (Ps 19:14)
"Little things that make a big difference"
1. Follow God's guidelines for good communication.
2. Identify any speech patterns that must go.
3. Make it a goal to encourage your husband (Pr 12:18;Eph 4:29) [glow=red,2,300]AKA, head on over to the DH encouragement thread [/glow]
4. Be quick to say you're sorry.
5. Say what you mean, but don't say it meanly!
6. Seek to please God with your words (Pro 19:14)
Off topic: I gotta say I love the spell check feature, ya'll wouldn't believe how many typos I had in this one, lol I don't even wanna think about the ones that it/I didn't catch.