Loud Mouth versus Muted Mouth! The struggle is real! Lol..
I started writing on this yesterday. Did you miss Part 1? Find it below:
The Vocal husband is the life of the party in the family. If he dares keep quiet, the whole house shuts down. When the vocal husband goes quiet, something is really wrong that needs urgent attention. You see, his default mode is to keep talking.
The Quiet wife is the definition of peace, tranquility, and serenity in the house. If she ever starts talking in anger, there is a real problem.
In order for there to be balance in the family and for the children not to be tilted out of balance in one direction, the couple has to work on their marriage and be on the same page.
Our weaknesses are always strengths turned inward, so what this means is that a weakness is actually within the strength and it has to be managed well so that strength will win.
For example, a husband who talks a lot brings fun to the house, but will equally use strong words at the slightest provocation.
The wife who is on the quiet side seems very peaceful but will continually aggravate the husband with her shell-like withdrawal, her easy tendencies for depression and despondency, her unresponsiveness to her husband’s vibes, and so on and so forth!
The vocal husband must learn to shut up when angry and the quiet wife must learn to express herself when angry.
Interestingly, the vocal husband can easily forgive when he vents, while the quiet wife can be vindictive and unforgiving in her quietude. Note that venting with negative words and abuse is not always the best way to go.
The balance is that they must work together and understand one another while improving their communication skills.
If you are like the couple above and you seem to have done everything possible with no headway, you might want to reach me via WhatsApp for some deep therapeutic steps both of you can take! The issue must be resolved!
We will be looking at more couple combinations in the coming days!
Wow, this looks like Pastor Sophia and I. Interestingly, I used to be quiet growing up. I really don’t know what happened. Any idea?
In the next few days, we are going to be looking at this series on different types of couples.
We are starting with The Vocal Husband and The Quiet Wife.
I have said it over and over again, opposites will always attract. And then after the wedding, as you begin to live together, the very opposites that attracted you will now begin to repel you.
And that is when the job really begins. I am usually amused at singles who say they know each other very well. It’s amusing. I have been married for twenty-four years and I can’t say I know my wife. You may as well go and ask couples who have been married for like forty years, they will tell you the same. This doesn’t mean your spouse is mysterious, it simply means there are different aspects that unfold every day. Several treasures are buried in your spouse that only find expression as time goes on.
Back to our topic, the vocal husband uses conversation as a personal therapy, he enjoys it and is emotionally fulfilled just by talking. The downside is that he also wants to talk when he is angry, sometimes using heavy words that can cause emotional damage to his wife. When he is angry, he vents using words in other to feel okay.
On the flip side, his wife who is on the receiving side, is likely not to enjoy such words when her husband is angry. Because she is a quiet wife, she is sensitive to words. Her therapeutic method is to be quiet and she can be fulfilled not talking.
The husband hates this because he is talking and there are no commensurate responses. When the wife is angry, she easily withdraws into her cocoon, thereby frustrating her husband the more. The drama gets more intense!
In Proverbs 20:6 (KJV), the question echoes through time, resonating with those navigating the complex landscape of relationships: “Most men will proclaim everyone his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
The Illusion of Proclamation.
Most men will ‘toast’ you and promise you heaven and earth, but a faithful man who can find? This proclamation of virtue often masks the true essence of fidelity. As we explore this timeless challenge, it’s essential to dissect the layers beneath these surface affirmations.
Decoding ‘Faithful’: Trusty or Trustworthiness. The term ‘faithful’ finds its roots in the Greek word ’emun,’ denoting trustworthiness. Essentially, the question emerges: amidst good toasters, who can be trusted?
The Dilemma Explored.
David, in Psalm 12:1 (KJV), adds another layer to the complexity: “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
A Quest for Good Husbands
Are there good husbands in this age? Will one ever find a man that will love God and love his wife as well? The quest for a partner embodying both godliness and spousal devotion raises its head.
Navigating Temptations.
Are there still men who will not compromise and cheat on their wives? The perennial challenge of fidelity in the face of tempting situations emerges. Can one find a man who remains faithful despite the availability of temptations?
Elijah’s Revelation.
Well, there are still faithful men! Elijah’s encounter with God reveals that amidst perceived scarcity, a multitude remains steadfast, refusing to bow to societal pressures. Trust God to lead you and don’t trust your brain and calculations alone!
Shifting Perspectives.
The danger lies in concluding that “all men are evil.” Such a mindset perpetuates a cycle, attracting the very negativity one fears.
Trusting in Divine Guidance.
There are still faithful men, and there is a man that God has for you! Trusting in divine guidance becomes pivotal. When decisions align with God’s plan, the journey to finding a faithful companion becomes clearer.
The Pitfall of Self-Will.
But if you decide to do it your own way, try to buy your way into a man’s heart by offering your body, it usually wouldn’t work out because that is not God’s order. May God grant you more wisdom.
Embracing the Essence of “Leave” and “Cleave” in Marriage
Genesis Chapter Two and verse twenty-four sets the foundation for a thriving marital journey: “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.”
Unpacking the Significance of “Leave.”
The terms “Leave” and “Cleave” in this verse hold profound implications for successful marriages.
“Leave” signifies more than a physical departure. It involves loosening ties, relinquishing control, permitting independence, and forsaking undue interference. It’s a departure, not a disconnection.
A man’s departure is crucial for a prosperous marriage. It minimizes undue interference and control from parents, fostering an environment where the couple can flourish.
Understanding the Depth of “Cleave.”
“Cleave” means to cling, adhere, catch by pursuit, abide, follow closely, follow hard, and pursue relentlessly. It demands a shift of allegiance from parents to one’s spouse.
In marriage, your spouse takes precedence from day one. Cleaving means making your spouse the top priority, and understanding that your partner is not just another person’s spouse; they are yours. It involves continuous pursuit, a commitment that persists beyond the wedding day.
The Perseverance of Cleaving.
Cleaving is not a one-time event but a continuous pursuit. It’s an unyielding commitment to one’s own spouse. Attempting to cleave to another’s spouse can lead to marital crises. It requires being emotionally and otherwise connected, especially during challenging times.
Cleaving versus. Quitting
Cleaving means staying dedicated, and not quitting when faced with challenges. It’s comparable to one’s relationship with God; just as you cleave unto Him in adversity, you should cleave to your spouse in marital challenges. Leaving God or your spouse can complicate matters; therefore, cleave for life.
The Essence of Cleave: Dedication, Sharing, and Enjoyment
Cleaving goes beyond dedication; it involves sharing on the deepest level, enjoying each other’s company, and providing warmth. It’s a commitment to weathering storms together.
A Prayer for Strong Marriages
In closing, let’s offer a prayer for enduring and vibrant marriages:
“May God grant you profound understanding, shielding your marriage from crises. May the divine love between you two flourish, and may God infuse new life into your union.”
God’s word remains the only authentic manual for living a fruitful married life and indeed every other aspect of our lives
Marriage is not meant to be lived without God. How do you get God involved in your marriage except by finding out of His word says in every different aspect?
The issue of forgiveness is very crucial in marriage. We must guide ourselves on how to handle hurts and offenses such that they don’t degenerate into bitterness and finally get to a point where your spirit is closed against your spouse.
Marriage is a union that is meant to multiply our strength. One is meant to chase a thousand and two of us in marriage put ten thousand to flight.
Yet marriage is the place where most offenses occur, mostly because of temperamental differences, background differences, and male/ female differences.
Pressures of different sorts occur in marriage. Unmet expectations, challenges, and changes happen in marriage and all these cause the very foundation of our marriage to be shaken. Arming ourselves with the right knowledge and getting the strength to help us navigate this aspect of our marital journey is very important.
That hurts will not come is living in a fool’s paradise. Let’s look at what God’s word says
2 Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in anything, … We are to make sure we are not easily offended. Don’t easily be offended. Grow a thick skin to being offended. Holding offenses is not even good for our health.
Learn to let go quickly. I know it is not an easy pill to swallow. I also know, that depending on the magnitude of the offense, it becomes really hard to let go. Yet God’s word must be obeyed.
Matt 18:7 Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!
Offenses MUST come. This is a reality in marriage. We are not expecting it but we are armed with how to handle offenses quickly when they show up.
I think that is a fair way to live.
Let’s look at what God’s word has to say about forgiveness
Matt 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses
If we don’t forgive from our hearts, we stand the risk of having God holding our shortcomings against us. We are always in need of the mercy of God. So one of the reasons we forgive our spouse is because we also offend God in so many ways and want Him to forgive us. God counts it sheer wickedness, if we want God to forgive us and yet we withhold mercy from our covenant partner. Forgiveness is a show of Mercy that we give to the offender. When we show mercy to others we will also receive mercy.
I will stop here this morning. It is my prayer that God will grant us the Grace to forgive each other in marriage in Jesus’ mighty name.