source: http://www.webweaver.nu/clipart/wedding2.shtml

Morning all. Sorry for the delay although I doubt anyone was checking the blog at 6 in the morning. I’m severly under the weather…

Anyway, here’s part 2 of the blog that I wrote last week. If you haven’t read part 1, click here before reading further. If you have, then here is the second recommend skill to surviving your first year of marriage. Enjoy.

2. Learn To Be Tactful

What is the challenge? Depending on your family or cultural background, you might be in the habit of expressing your opinion firmly, even bluntly. For example, Liam, who lives in Europe, says: “Where I come from, People tend to be tactless. My blunt way of expressing myself often upset my wife. I had to learn to be more gentle.”

What is the solution? Do not assume your mate wants to be spoken to in the same manner that you are used to. (Philippians 2:3,4) The counsel that the apostle Paul gave a missionary is also helpful for newlyweds. He wrote: “A slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle.” In the original Greek, the word that is translated “gentle” can also be rendered “tactful.” (2 Timothy 2:24) Tact is the ability to discern the delicacy of a situation and to deal with the matter kindly, without causing offense.

Try This: When you are annoyed with your mate, imagine that instead of talking to your spouse, you are conversing with a good friend or with your employer. Would you still use the same tone of voice or choice of words? Then think of reasons why your spouse deserves to be spoken to with even more respect and tact than does your friend or employer. – Colossians 4:6

source: WT. August 1, 2010. Vol. 131. No. 15

I like the suggestion in bold. If I imagined that my husband was my employer when I am annoyed with him, I probably would navigate things more smoothly. I hope you enjoyed. Look out for Part 3 next week. Have a good weekend.

jendayi