Choosing Gratitude Day 21

Day 21

Proverbs 21:2–9

When you read the above passage, you 

could probably guess which verse I 

wanted to highlight: “It is better to live 

in a corner of the housetop than in a 

house shared with a quarrelsome wife” 

(v. 9). And, yes, I am serious about 

the dangers posed by tongues that are 

contentious, combative, and 

discontented.

But while heeding this as a warning, 

let’s also turn it into a positive. If one 

of the blessings of gratitude is that it 

makes us generally happier people, it 

follows that gratitude makes those who 

live with us happier too.

The restorative power of a grateful 

heart and tongue is more potent than 

we can imagine, as is the destructive 

potential of being bitter and difficult to 

live with. “Gracious words are like a 

honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and 

health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24). 

Let’s make sure our words have that 

kind of effect.

Ask God to guard your heart—and your 

tongue—today. Anytime you hear 

yourself saying words that are 

contentious, complaining, or critical, 

rather than gracious, gentle, and godly 

… stop. Ask Him to forgive you. And 

seek forgiveness from those to whom—

or in whose presence—you spoke.



I don't know about you, but this came at a timely convicting moment. *smile*

My husband had just said to me earlier (in a sweet way), why I always (lately) have annoyed/angry tone with him. 

I wanted to say, 

"because I AM angry with you! There's an internal struggle going on and it can come out in my tone, without meaning too. You are leaving for over a month, during Christmas, taking our 3 year old against my wishes...and you don't seem to care!!" 

But I didn't say it. I really don't know that it would have been helpful, so I didn't say anything.

But even if I am angry/hurt doesn't mean I can let my tongue "rule" in an angry manner! Is that glorifying to God? Is that how God tells me to behave? No!

Is it okay to speak to our children in any manner/tone that we want...even if we are angry/annoyed/tired? No! 

Why? Because there are MANY verses telling us not to. We are to guard our heart and tongue.

I ultimately cannot control how others behave/think and they are accountable to God in the end for their actions. But the same is true for me (and you)...we are accountable for ourselves. Do you really want to stand before God and say, "Well my kids made me so mad or my husband's actions where so hurtful and thoughtless...so that why I responded that way." No, of course not! It's not acceptable to God.

Let's take time to : 

Ask God to guard your heart—and your 
tongue—today. Anytime you hear 
yourself saying words that are 
contentious, complaining, or critical, 
rather than gracious, gentle, and godly 
… stop. Ask Him to forgive you. And 
seek forgiveness from those to whom—
or in whose presence—you spoke.

For His Glory,