Week 6 - Love is not Irritable

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. ~ Proverbs 16:32

Love is not irritable.  But people are.  Being irritable is something I have a problem with from time to time.  Different things push different buttons, and I'd like to think those buttons are few.  Going back a few weeks to love being patient, being not irritable is a natural extension of the patience idea.  It's taking a deep breath when the buttons are pushed, instead of ventilating the energy.

Stress, through work, home life, social forces, or any other influence can make one irritable.  Poor general health can do it too.  So, if we can identify the causes, can't we also identify ways to reduce their effects?  Just asking...

There's a little two-letter word in our language that allows us to mitigate our stressors.  That word is "NO".  Not an ugly "no", but a simple "no" to the many things that pull us like Stretch Armstrong.  Delegate tasks, decline new projects that cause others to be left unfinished, take time away from work, do whatever it takes.  But most importantly, take time away from those things WITH that person you love.  But make sure they're saying "no" to those same things too.  It just doesn't work with one person doing it.  One thing I'm learning with Therapist is that we will address our stressors together.  I'm also learning to understand that she doesn't mind listening to me gripe about work or other things from time to time.  I'm naturally reluctant to do that, because I think that it somehow brings those stressors into the relationship, and I'd rather just keep them outside.  I'm learning to let her into that part of my world

I'm rambling.  Mostly because I've had precious little sleep this weekend because of work.  Sometimes work throws unplanned, unscheduled kinks into the routine.  Thankfully, Therapist and Mini-Me understand that it happens sometimes, but it's just because of who I am. 

So, what is love?  It's hard to define, but it is Patient, it is Kind and not selfish, it's Thoughtful and not rude, and certainly not irritable.

Goodnight y'all.  Pray for my friends in Yazoo, Holmes, Attala, and Choctaw counties.  Many lives were affected by this weekend's tornadoes, and some were lost.