A Prayer About Quarrelsomeness
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife (husband, friend, parent, etc.) Proverbs 21:9
LordJesus, how often have I read this proverb with the image of a group of “good” men sitting around a Judean campfire complaining about their nagging, “drippy faucet,” wives. How arrogant and “male” of me. As though only women and wives can be quarrelsome! Yikes!
Today I want to own my quarrelsomeness and to ask you to free me for far more healthy and redemptive ways of expressing disappointment, making a point, and engaging in conflict.
Jesus, when I lose sight of the real issue and simply get argumentative with my spouse, friends, kids, or even strangers, arrest my proud heart. I’m very aware that sometimes my need to “win” sabotages my commitment to love well. The result is never good.
Jesus, when I keep festering and pestering, rather than resting in you and your work, expose my insecure ways for what they really are-yet again, I’m assuming the role of the 4th member of the Trinity. In my most gospel-sane moments, I realize I really don’t won’t to drive people I love to the corner or a roof or into the desert.
Jesus, when I protest more than I pray, when I launch more than I listen, when I’m more grouchy than grace-full, when I’m more self-righteous than either right or righteous… when I repay nag for nag, petty for petty, immaturity with immaturity… convict me, forgive me… help me… change me.
I know you’re not calling me to passivity. I know you’ve given me a voice. I know it’s important to deal with real matters, but I want to do, so as much as possible, “in line with the truth of the gospel.” Because the gospel is true, I hope. Because the gospel is true, I repent. Very Amen!
