How Are You Sleeping?
Psalms 4:4, 8 NLT
Verse 4: "Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent."
Verse 8: "In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."
Boy, there would be so many hurts and pains saved if only we all could listen to this first verse!! When we are angry - we need to give ourselves a "time-out" and back off for 24 hours. If there is one thing I've learned, it is that, when we are angry, our adrenaline goes up. When our adrenaline goes up, it sometimes makes us 'brain-dead' - because we act, say, and do things we normally wouldn't do or say, when we are calm.
I have some friends that learned a skill/tool that has actually saved them in their marriage MANY times. It's called "The 24 Hour Rule". Either party can invoke it, when there is something going on, being said, or happening, that seems to be causing 'intense fellowship' between the two. Or, if there is something that one of them really needs to address, but doesn't want the conflict that normally goes with it - they can invoke the 24 hour rule.
Here's how it goes:
Person 1 - Hon, I need to invoke the 24 Hour Rule. (then explain the issue that needs to be address, in 5 minutes of less).
Person 2 - Cannot react, eye roll, make faces, or say anything - for 24 Hours! That gives each person 24 hours to go through ALL of the emotions attached to the issue that needs to be addressed. Anger, hurt, frustration, then usually goes in to self-reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and so on...
24 Hours Later - they meet back, at the time agreed upon the night before.
Person 2 - gets to go first, to share what they feel on the issue. Any resolve they came up with, and or any self reflection.
Person 1 - gets to either say, yes, that Person 2 gets it, or clarify what they were trying to say a little further.
By giving each other "time to reflect" on what ever it is, allows for God to move in their hearts as well. God uses these times, to bond, unite, and draw closer couples that use this as a skill. It is not a 'bashing' session, nor is it a 'soap-box' and you cannot bring up a TON of issues - just one, that can be addressed and processed. Many times, the sleeping on it, and God working us through this time - allows the couple to have a different understanding as well as see it from the other persons side of view.
Then verse 8 - is just an amazing promise from God for us to claim and hold on to, any time we are having troubles sleeping!! :-)
Today, I am praying that you use God's wisdom, to resolve conflicts that you have going on in your life. By trusting in His guidance and direction - we can and will accomplish great and mighty things! <3
I have some friends that learned a skill/tool that has actually saved them in their marriage MANY times. It's called "The 24 Hour Rule". Either party can invoke it, when there is something going on, being said, or happening, that seems to be causing 'intense fellowship' between the two. Or, if there is something that one of them really needs to address, but doesn't want the conflict that normally goes with it - they can invoke the 24 hour rule.
Here's how it goes:
Person 1 - Hon, I need to invoke the 24 Hour Rule. (then explain the issue that needs to be address, in 5 minutes of less).
Person 2 - Cannot react, eye roll, make faces, or say anything - for 24 Hours! That gives each person 24 hours to go through ALL of the emotions attached to the issue that needs to be addressed. Anger, hurt, frustration, then usually goes in to self-reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and so on...
24 Hours Later - they meet back, at the time agreed upon the night before.
Person 2 - gets to go first, to share what they feel on the issue. Any resolve they came up with, and or any self reflection.
Person 1 - gets to either say, yes, that Person 2 gets it, or clarify what they were trying to say a little further.
By giving each other "time to reflect" on what ever it is, allows for God to move in their hearts as well. God uses these times, to bond, unite, and draw closer couples that use this as a skill. It is not a 'bashing' session, nor is it a 'soap-box' and you cannot bring up a TON of issues - just one, that can be addressed and processed. Many times, the sleeping on it, and God working us through this time - allows the couple to have a different understanding as well as see it from the other persons side of view.
Then verse 8 - is just an amazing promise from God for us to claim and hold on to, any time we are having troubles sleeping!! :-)
Today, I am praying that you use God's wisdom, to resolve conflicts that you have going on in your life. By trusting in His guidance and direction - we can and will accomplish great and mighty things! <3
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