Day 21: Family Matters
Scripture Reading: Proverbs 21:2-9
If you were faithful to read the above passage, you can probably guess which verse I wanted to highlight: "It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife" (v. 9). And, yes, I am serious about the dangers posed by tongues that are contentious, combative, and discontented.
But while heeding this as a warning, let's also turn it into a positive. If one of the blessings of gratitude is that it makes us generally happier people, it follows that gratitude makes those who live with us happier too.
Let the first halves of these proverbs become as desirable to you as the second halves are detestable: "The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down" (Proverbs 14:1). "A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit" (15:4). "An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones" (12:4).
The restorative power of a grateful heart and tongue is more potent than we can imagine, as is the destructive potential of being bitter and difficult to live with. "Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body" (Proverbs 16:24). Let's make sure our words have that kind of effect.
GRATITUDE IN ACTION
Ask God to guard your heart--and your tongue--today. Anytime you hear yourself saying words that are contentious, complaining, or critical, rather than gracious, gentle, and godly...stop. Ask Him to forgive you. And seek forgiveness from those to whom--or in whose presence--you spoke.
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