Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 (NIV)
Comment
I hate rows! It’s because they just erupt seemingly out of nowhere and stuff gets said that I don’t want to hear; and I say stuff that I would rather have kept hidden! O dear!
- “I don’t want to hear it” but my partner has been trying to tell me!
- I am trying to keep stuff hidden that probably need to be looked at!
- The volcanic “eruption” may have been uncontrolled but is probably necessary.
If only I could learn to be gracious and also salty! Instead I am reluctant to address issues until they come out of me under pressure!
Rows have healthy significance – they signal that something needs sorting out. So once we have apologised to each other for the “fiery lava flow”, we must pursue the conversation with the grace of listening. Kiss and make up doesn’t work if we make the issue taboo.
Is there an issue you need to talk through? Take courage and be salt in your relationship? Pray about a good solution. Did you have a row but not talked it through?. Pray FIRST then talk! Make time to be proactive this week. Otherwise the volcano will start smoking!
Prayer (as a couple)
Father God. We don’t want to be afraid to bring up issues but we don’t want to hurt each other either. Help us build courage and trust so that we address issues before they become destructive. Help us to talk and take action now over any unaddressed problems in our relationship. Amen
Prayer (for others)
We pray for our friends _____ and _____. They often row and we can see they are talking less and less for fear of more rows. Please help them to deal with their issues with your grace helping them. Help them to keep short accounts with each other so that pain and anger do not build up. Help them both listen carefully so they really understand. Amen
Final quote
SALT BUT NOT PEPPER!