What Is Your Problem?

Our Thoughts:

How many times have you looked at your spouse and wondered what was in his/her mind? Things aren't going your way - OR - you don't get your way. And, you are sure "he/she has a problem!"

I've been down that road, early in my marriage. I was taught never to got to sleep angry. But, this one night, we had words, and later went to bed with the 'problem' unsolved. As I lay there sleepless, my husband had no problem 'sawing logs'. That got the best of me! I finally woke him up, demanding to know how he could sleep when "we" had a problem. He said, to my amazement, "I never knew there was anything wrong." So much for 'his problem'.

Tonight, I was reading I'm Too Young to be This Old by Patricia "Poppy" Smith. She was writing about how we need to communicate more clearly (women do sometimes elaborate too much) and men like 'just the facts, please'. Always concentrate on the positives. Too often we see the things that we don't like in our spouse instead of looking for the good things that made us fall in love. We never stop to realize that perhaps we have some things that aggravate our spouse, as well. But, does he/she stay on our case about our 'problem'?

We should look at our spouse in light of the words written by Paul in Phillipians 4:8. This is a great marriage-building passage! When we are having a problem, we need to re-visit that passage of scripture, repeating it often! Take Pauls' whatsoever's (things that are true, honest,just, pure,lovely, of good report) and think on THESE things - not the problem we perceive.

His Thoughts

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Our Cup:

Heavenly Father, too often, we find fault in others that we don't like and stay on their case. We forget the good things and concentrate on the problem. Help us to see others as you see them, instead of through our eyes. We give you praise! In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.

All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.