The Power of a Praying Wife Chapter 22: His Emotions

Long Beach Island, August

We all need to learn how to be controlled by the Holy Spirit and not by our emotions.  And according to Stormie, "The best gift a wife can give in secret to calm her husband's anger (or any other emotion) is to pray for him."

I don't know about you, but my John is not a very "emotional" person, at least not the way that I am.  I can really get off base and lose the godly perspective and "nurse my wounds" so to speak, where John is over things a lot more quickly.  Maybe that's just a gender issue.  But Stormie also brought up husbands who have bad tempers or anger problems, and I honestly can't relate to that, since John is so laid back and even toned.  (Thank you Lord).

But if you or someone you know struggles with a husband who does have an issue with controlling his temper or has severe anger problems, please know that you can love your husband but not approve of their sinful behavior, or tolerate it.  I know many people who grew up in homes where there parents fought a lot and there were terrible mood swings and severe anger problems going on, but the wife tolerated it and allowed the sinful behavior to continue.  It's in cases like that where not only is prayer needed but it is also important to confront sinful behavior.  Growing up in a home like that is not only unhealthy for the parents but very damaging to the children.

There may also be people struggling with severe depression.  And those negative emotions can also affect your spouse or family members.  You can start to feel hopeless and depressed if you allow that emotion to take over your own heart and life.

I like how Stormie brought up the example of how King David experienced some deep depression-like feelings..."My soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to the grave.  I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength" Psalm 88: 3, 4  "I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long"..."I am feeble and severely broken; I groan because of the turmoil of  my heart." Psalm 38: 6, 8

Even though David was feeling such deep despair he found his hope in the Lord.  I love what it says in Psalm 30:3 O Lord You have brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit"..."I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy, for You have considered my trouble; You have known my soul in adversities" Psalm 31:7

I love the verse in the New Testament that says we can "count it all joy when we fall into various trials knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience.  And let patience have it's perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing."  When we put our trust in the Lord, it doesn't matter what our circumstances look like, we can rest assure that even if a difficult road is ahead, we don't have to become overly emotional or walk in our flesh, but we can walk in the spirit and receive all of the strength we need to get through each day, through the sun or rain.  Isn't it neat to know that we don't have to be a slave to our feelings or our circumstances, but that we can find joy even in a trial?  God is so good.  He is so awesome.  He always has a plan and He is always working on us to make us more like His Son Jesus!

Let's pray for our husbands...

*Redeem our souls from negative emotions
*Help us to not be controlled by depression, anger, anxiety, jealousy, hopelessness, fear, or suicidal thoughts
*Enable us as wives to be understanding and have words to say that bring life
*Anoint us with the "oil of joy"

Love Dare...
Joy is spelled J-Jesus  O-Others  Y-You
Decide with your husband who you will bring Joy to this month!  Who can you minister to?  Who can you bless?  Who can you bring joy to?  I find that when we focus on Christ first and others, then we have little time to worry or think negatively about our own circumstances.

Thanks for bringing JOY to my life by just reading my blog and being a part of our life.  I love hearing your comments and seeing how God is working in all of your lives.