No More Silent Treatments

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Recently my husband hurt my feelings so I resorted to the ever so mature silent treatment. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst for Proverbs 31 Ministries. Can you relate? Well, I was so upset that I called a friend who I was sure would understand and say something to make me feel better. But what she said actually pierced my heart and helped to change my perspective. She asked me, “Lysa, if you knew something might happen to Art today and he’d never come home again, would this situation really matter?” Suddenly, my hurt was put into perspective and my outlook was completely different. Instead of the silent treatment I called my husband and gently told him why his statement had hurt my feelings. The anger and hurt had dissipated and, thanks to my wise friend, I was free to live the rest of that day with no regrets.

For more marriage tips, visit Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Everyday Life, Attack of the Killer Weeds, by Paula Friedrichsen

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Marriage Secret Revealed

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Paula Friedrichsen with Renee Swope

I wonder if there’s a secret to having a happy marriage. Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. If there were such a secret, I bet it would be overlooking our spouse’s faults, you know, those annoying personality quirks that were humorous when we first met.
Marriage can be challenging at times - but it can also be fulfilling, comforting, and fun. I’ve discovered that if I really want to enjoy my marriage, I have to keep my sense of humor and stay focused on my husband’s good qualities.

In her book, The Man You’ve Always Wanted, Paula Friedrichsen says that, “Overlooking our husband’s faults means to “look over the top” of them to see the person we love standing on the other side.”

So, whether my husband leaves his shirts and socks on the floor or keeps me awake with his snoring… I want to overlook his faults. And, hopefully he’ll do the same for me!

For more marriage encouragement, click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Everyday Life, Surrendering Your Marriage, by Melanie Chitwood

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Clean as You Go

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

The other day I came home from a fun outing with my kids and realized how messy the house was! Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

Quickly my mood went from happy, happy to mad and demanding. My husband pulled me aside after watching me rant and rave for a few minutes and asked a very simple question: “Why did you let everyone go on a fun outing without first having them clean up? If you’d told them before you left what needed to be done the thrill of going out would have motivated everyone and you could have come home relaxed.”

He was right.

I’ve taken his advice on several occasions and it’s amazing how it has reduced my stress. And what if the kids don’t cooperate with the clean before we go plan? Well, then we cancel the outing and I get to take a bubble bath. Now that’s a beautiful plan!

For more encouragement as a mom, log on to Proverbs31.org.

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Free devotion, Thanking God for Tests, by Glynnis Whitwer

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Treasures

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writers: Tracie Miles and Renee Swope

When my son got home from his grandma’s the other day he was so excited! He’d been entrusted with a special treasure! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries. My mom had given Andrew a crystal pitcher that had belonged to his great grandmother. We talked about why it was a special treasure and how he needed to take good care of it.

It dawned on me that this was a great time to tell Andrew how God says our most valuable treasures are in heaven. I explained that we gain treasures for ourselves in Heaven by doing things that reflect what God treasures most.

Andrew was excited to know that he had treasures in heaven, and he wanted to know how to get more! I told him that the Bible says when we serve and love others - the way Jesus does - God stores those acts of kindness as treasures for us. For more encouragement, click on today’s radio transcript at Proverbs31.org.

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Losing Stuff

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

Recently my husband and I returned home from vacation only to discover that our camera was missing. Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries. And I have to admit I cried. Not so much over the lost camera as over the lost pictures. I know it sounds silly but I was so sad I prayed that God would either help us find the camera or give me a peace about this loss. Later that day, I wrote down what I felt I needed to remember:

First, keep it in perspective.

And, secondly, don’t let this loss take the joy out of the memories of our trip.

Ultimately, the camera and the photos are just stuff. Many people are dealing with situations today that are far beyond this. So, I’m thankful for the memories, hopeful for the return of the camera, but OK if we never get it back.

For more daily life perspectives, log on to Proverbs 31 Ministries and click on Everyday Life at Proverbs31.org.

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Take Out the Trash

Hostess: Renee Swope
Contributing Writer: Paula Friedrichsen

Sometimes unforgiveness can be a lot like smelly trash! Hi, I’m Renee Swope for Proverbs 31 Ministries.

When an overripe cantaloupe sits around rotting in the bottom of the kitchen trashcan, it starts to stink. Add yesterday’s leftovers and it gets even worse! We wonder, “Won’t someone PLEASE take out the trash?”

You know, unforgiveness in our hearts is a lot like smelly garbage and it can stink up our marriage. Sometimes I keep a running tally of each and every offense, which makes make my heart quickly wreak of unforgiveness.

I’ve found the only way to “take out the trash” in my marriage is to bring my frustrations to God, ask for His perspective of my husband, and “choose” to search for the good in him.

We’ve all found it difficult to forgive in the past—but here’s the good news; today can be a brand new beginning! For more marriage encouragement click on everyday life at Proverbs31.org.

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All for God

Hostess: Lysa TerKeurst
Contributing Writer: Lysa TerKeurst

What if I chose today to live in a way that’s completely pleasing to God? Hi I’m Lysa TerKeurst with Proverbs 31 Ministries.

You know, God’s never asked me to do great things. All He’s ever asked of me is to allow His greatness to enter me, change things around in me, and be seen through me. So, today I’m making the choice to not settle for “good enough” I won’t let the influences of pride, what’s easiest for me, and what I want overshadow my desire to live for God. Today, I will choose to put others ahead of myself, to resist the temptation to gossip or displease God in any way, and to give everything in my heart to Him.

There are no great people who serve God. Just simple people who every now and then make great choices.

For more encouragement in your relationship with God log on to Proverbs31.org.

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