STONE FACED

STONE FACED

Have you ever experienced; talking to your spouse is like talking to a stone wall?  Sure you have.  Even the best of marriages will run into a STONE FACED MOUNTAIN.  Communicating can be one frustrating process.

Several days ago the Lord brought to my mind a picture of Mount Rushmore.  We have not had the opportunity of seeing that mountain of faces; but it is on our bucket list.  Maybe one day we will have the privilege of gazing at the master piece.  I would assume after standing there for thirty minutes looking up boredom would strike; it’s not like George, Abe, Teddy or Tom will carry on a conversation with you.  Hey, maybe we could hike up that mountain and discuss communication skills along the way, now there’s a thought.

Back to the mountain of faces; as I thought on this it reminded me of the challenges we all face as married couples in the area of communication.  As individuals we are so focused on our own desires that deception moves in and we become like faces on Mount Rushmore.

We have eyes but cannot see past ourselves.

We have ears that are deaf to what our spouse may be trying to say.

We have lips that may be left speechless because we do not know how to express ourselves, or we just plain do not want to talk about it.

We become an unmovable mountain; determined to have it our way or no way at all.

On the other hand; we may wish our spouse was like a face on that mountain because……

They could not walk away from you when you are talking.

You could do all the talking while their mouth is kept shut (now there’s a plan).

You would have their undivided attention.

You could yell and scream and not fear retaliation.

Unfortunately all of the above statements will do little to solve the problems you face as a couple.  And none of the above will enhance your communication skills.

Conflict resolution the secular world way will not have any lasting benefits.  Unless we as individuals learn how to repent and forgive, conflict resolution is like a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.

The Bible has much to say about repentance and forgiveness.  Learning how to apply and practice these Biblical principles will set in motion the platform for conflict resolution God’s way. 

But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. God will give to each person according to what he has done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

Romans 2:5-9 (NIV)

“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Mark 11:24-26 (NKJV)

In Honor of Marriage for a Lifetime;

Penny

© 2011

For more on Conflict Resolution ~ God’s Way…be sure to pick up a copy of WE PROMISE this summer at a bookstore near you.