A Verse I Need – Even Though It Stings
Often, my husband, Bert, will come home from work and head to the bedroom saying, “I’m going to go change.” To which I teasingly reply, “Good. I’ve been praying for you to change.”
As playful as our back-and-forth, we wives often pray for our husbands. And, helpful servants that we are, we often lend God a hand by pointing out to our husband the specific areas he needs to work on. Unfortunately, the more “helpful” we are, the less good it does.
Have you read Proverbs 21:9 lately? Or do you tend to skip this verse? If it’s been a while, here it is in the Amplified Bible Classic version. But I warn you, it won’t be your favorite verse. (It sure isn’t mine.)
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.
Ouch.
I warned you. And no … your husband didn’t request to have this verse added to the Bible. Nor did he contact me to include it in this week’s column.
All kidding aside, the reason this verse is one of our least favorites is because it’s a painfully convicting description. Not every day, of course, but certainly on the days when we’re end-of-our-rope frustrated.
We’d much rather be like the wife described in Proverbs 31:12 (AMPC):
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
Yet we often behave in ways that cause our husband to want to escape from our presence. He’d rather live on the roof, exposed to sweltering heat, torrential rain and blizzards than be inside his home … with us. Wow!
Ouch again.
I’m not saying our husbands never drive us to the point of wanting to escape. But if you commit to hearing me out for the next few weeks, I promise not to marginalize your frustration. I’ve found, however, that I never find lasting satisfaction when I disrespect Bert. No matter how much I try to justify my actions.
Until next time, think about the two verses I quoted in this week’s column. Next week, I’ll share one of the best verses to help you be the wife your husband will enjoy living with. And if your husband also decides to read and remember the verse, it may help both of you look forward to spending the rest of your lives … together.
What do you think?
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this post. (Others might also benefit from your comment.)
- Which verse describes you (and your marriage) best: Proverbs 21:9 or Proverbs 31:12?
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Thank you for this, Sheryl!
Hi, Judy! Welcome back to Today Can Be Different.
Thank YOU for reading my devotion!
Great article!
Thank you so much, Barbara!
And thank you for stopping by Today Can Be Different to leave a comment – and for sharing my devotion on your Facebook page, Barbara!
Proverbs 21:9 (AMPC):
It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop [on the flat oriental roof, exposed to all kinds of weather] than in a house shared with a nagging, quarrelsome, and faultfinding woman.
Proverbs 31:12 (AMPC):
She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
Which verse describes you (and your marriage) best: Proverbs 21:9 or Proverbs 31:12?
This so amazing and true. Being married to an unbeliever, my husband and I used to exchange not such comforting words..
More than a year ago I had an aha moment and starred praying for tge Lord to quiet my tongue. He would still find something to argue about and I knew it was Satan. I would walk away.
Coming forward, we never have angry words and my husband enjoys our times together. Satan has only tried to visit a few times but left immediately when I showed him the door.
It was a miracle from the Lord.
Thank you for sharing a part of your story, Sandra! Praise God for His miracle!!
I would imagine the scorching desert heat on those “housetop corners” was something to contend with. I hope the poor guy at least kept his mini-fridge stocked.
Haha. Indeed. Indeed.
Thanks for stopping by, Josh. It’s nice to see you again.
Hello sister, what a great verse. I think of this verse often since the passing of my husband. The wasted moments i spent complaining over the years about things that i could have simply let slide. Things that today i see didnt matter. The moments i could have been encouraging to my husband jnstead. How i wish i could gather all those moments together and rwlive them. Sadly, thats not possible. Overall God blessed us qith a wonderful marriage and i know the past is just that, the past. I can however place a bookmark here to remind myself and learn from the past. Perhaps God will bless me once more with a good Godly man and then this lesson can be put to the test. Yours in Christ Laura
Oh, Laura. I love your comment so much. Thank you for your honesty – and insight.
If it is God’s will for you, I pray God will, indeed, bless you once more with a good godly man!
What a wonderful heartfelt response. Perhaps she will be gifted another godly man.
Amen! And thank you, Sandra, for your compassion for others who comment on Today Can Be Different.