A Crown and Not a Cancer

Good morning, my friend!  Good morning, Father!

“A wife of noble character is a crown for her husband, but a disgraceful woman is like cancer in his bones.”  - Proverbs 12:4

Lord, having lost a husband to cancer, this verse shook me up to say the least.  The thought of being a cancer to my husband’s bones feels like getting hit between the eyes with a sledgehammer.  Here, disgraceful means:  to disappoint, to bring shame, cause to become confused or pale.  I suspect this may go the other way around as well, about husbands with wives, and even in relationship with families.  

Father, I lift my friend.  I lift us both.  We don’t want to be like a cancer to those positioned closest to us in life.  Help us to use words that bring honor and blessing instead of dishonor, humiliation or shame.  If we are reaching out to the Body of Christ for help with a situation, help us to use discretion in our words, that we can share our burden with a trusted counselor in a way so as receive wisdom and learn to confront sin with love, but to not to be participating in character assassination.  

We thank You for speaking well of us always, Lord.  When You speak of us, You call us beloved, cherished and wanted.  We have sinned against You far more than our family member has against us, but day after day You joyfully extend to us the same, unchanging, lavish grace and mercy.  Give us hearts of mercy.  Teach us to confront sin biblically and with humility.  Help us to be lavish in forgiveness, and to be wise as serpents, but as innocent as doves (Matt 10:16).  We ask for Your wisdom in our relationships, that we would behave honorably, with discretion, wisdom and love.  After all, as the the church, we are the Bride of Christ, and we want our actions to bring honor to Jesus, our Bride Groom.  Help us to be a crown and not a cancer.  In Jesus Name ❤️


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