Destress the Damsel

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Contention Isn’t Cute

03.15.2014 by hpcs // Leave a Comment

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Has your husband grown cold and distant towards you? Are you in a perpetual state of unhappiness? Do your kids know “If Mama aint happy, aint nobody happy”? If this sounds like your home life…you just may be the contentious wife.

5 verses on the contentious wife:

A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. (Proverbs 27:15 KJV)

A foolish son is the calamity of his father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. (Proverbs 19:13 KJV)


It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. (Proverbs 21:9 and Proverbs 25:24 say this same thing)


It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. (Proverbs 21:19)

The theme here is apparent: No husband wants to be in the company of a contentious wife! 

It starts out with the wife nagging: the obnoxious, continual dripping of the faucet.This leads the husband to seek refuge to another room in the house. After a while, her nagging can lead to him finding solace outside the home: “The wilderness”! Let us make our homes a joyful place to live….may my husband never wish to head to the wilderness because I have made our home miserable to him.

We wives must remember our proper place in the home, and adjust our behavior accordingly. Compare the contentious wife to the submissive wife:

The contentious wife finds ways to make light of her husband’s weaknesses and belittle his talents – whether in the public eye or at home…..the submissive wife knows this is not honorable.

A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones. (Proverbs 12:4 KJV)

The contentious wife complains about lack of funds/special treatment/material items….but the submissive wife remembers that her treasure is in heaven.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20 KJV)

The contentious wife will yell, swear, criticize, whine, or roll her eyes at her husband when angered….while the submissive wife treats her husband as her Lord.

Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. (Ephesians 5:22 KJV)

A contentious wife goes against her husbands wishes if she disagrees with him….but the submissive wife knows that if she disobeys her husband, she blasphemes the word of God!

To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. (Titus 2:5 KJV)

A contentious wife denies her husband of sex, whether out of spite or because she is disinterested….a submissive wife knows that her body belongs to her man, and is his own flesh.

The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. (1 Corinthians 7:4 KJV)

So how are we measuring up? Are we being the submissive, peaceable wives the Lord calls us to be? Or are Christian women evolving into women of the world, who disrespect their husbands vehemenently? It’s time to stop the contention, and treat our husbands with HONOR!

Contention isn’t cute, Girls. Be a Titus 2 kinda wife.

Your husband will be happier. You will be happier. Your kids will be happier. The world will see what a christian marriage should look like. Most importantly, God will be glorified.

And when it’s all over at the end of the day, your husband can say in all truth:

Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. (Song of Solomon 4:7 KJV)

God bless, and take a chill pill!
CA Bolks


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Bent On Bellyaching

02.19.2014 by hpcs // Leave a Comment

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“Nothing ever works out the way I want it to”

“My husband is so rude and insensitive, I can hardly stand him”

“These little brats will be the death of me”

Any of these phrases sound familiar? You guessed it…if you are Bent on Bellyaching – you’re a complainer! 

Complaining…for most of us, if we had a dollar for every time we complained, we’d be living in a multi-million dollar mansion with a Lamborghini parked in the garage. 

Just like arguing, complaining is an addiction. Take hope, though! Complaining, just like any addiction, can be overcome. If we are really serious about giving it up, that is. Do we have what it takes to quit this sin addiction? Let’s take a look at why we should put a lock on our complaining lips…for good.

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If we complain, we are NOT thankful.

For everything we do, whether it be good or bad, there is always a “rather”. We are tempted to hate, but rather, we show love. We are tempted towards greed, but rather, we give. We are tempted to fight, but rather, we choose kind words. Just in the way that a smoker takes up gum chewing or nicotine patches after quitting their nasty habit, we can ease out of our nasty complaining habit by taking on a new habit…and the “rather” to complaining is thanksgiving!

How can we grumble and moan if we have a heart full of gratitude? How can we have time to complain in the midst of rejoicing? Instead of focusing solely on “not complaining”, focus on giving God the praise He deserves. There will be no room to bellyache, because thanksgiving is a full time job!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV)

By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. (Hebrews 13:15, 16 KJV)

And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. (Job 1:21 KJV)

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If we complain, we are NOT edifying.

How many of us want to be around someone who is continually talking about what’s wrong with their life? You don’t want to be around them, nor do I want to be around them! Remember ladies, as Christians, we are the light of the world; a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden! (Matt. 5:14) The world is watching and listening. If we are showing them how “bad” our life is, will they want to become a part of us? Of course not. Let us be careful not to turn others away by bellyaching. 

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. (Ephesians 4:29 KJV)

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: (Ephesians 4:31 KJV)


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If we complain, we ARE tempting God.

When we complain, not only do we neglect to give thanks, not only do we neglect to edify, but we show dishonor to our King! Consider these phrases from the verses below: “they tempted God”…”It displeased The Lord”…”His anger was kindled”…”The Lord smote the people with a very great plague”. I don’t know about you, but those lines hit me hard…I have dealt this way toward my God far too many times! Let us not take complaining lightly…for “it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God”. (Heb 10:31)

And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust. (Psalms 78:18 KJV)

And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord : and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. (Numbers 11:1 KJV)

And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague. And he called the name of that place Kibroth–hattaavah: because there they buried the people that lusted. (Numbers 11:33, 34 KJV)

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If we complain, we ARE risking spiritual death.

As we read below in 1 Cor 10:10-11, the written happenings of the Israelites are for our example and admonishment. Consider the destruction that befell them – when they murmured against The Lord. Consider how they were kept from the promised land – when they murmured against The Lord. This is a very serious wrong we do when we complain. This addiction is not worth staying out of our promised land for. I would rather bite my tongue and complain no more than have Heaven’s gate closed to me. Who is with me?

Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1 Corinthians 10:10, 11 KJV)

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, As truly as I live, saith the Lord, as ye have spoken in mine ears, so will I do to you: Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me, Doubtless ye shall not come into the land, concerning which I sware to make you dwell therein, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. (Numbers 14:27-30 KJV)

God bless, and take a chill pill!
CA Bolks


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Addicted to Arguing

01.28.2014 by hpcs // Leave a Comment

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“Discussion is an exchange of knowledge; an argument an exchange of ignorance.” -Robert Quillen

                                                                                                                                                                                                    As you can probably gather from the lesson title and quote above, today we are going to be talking about something many of us LOVE to do: Argue!! 

For some of us, arguing may be such a normal part of everyday life that we fail to see any error in it. I daresay most of us, even those that claim to have the Spirit of Christ, can hardly go a day without engaging in an argument with someone. If this is true of your life, hold on to your seat, because this might be a little uncomfortable!

Maybe you are thinking: “So, what’s so bad about arguing anyway? We all do it, and it seems harmless enough. In fact, it can be almost enjoyable at times!”

In everything we do, we need to be asking ourselves this important question: What does the Bible have to say? So let us find out…. Is arguing always acceptable? Is arguing sometimes acceptable? Is arguing ever acceptable? Let us look to God’s Word together for the answer.

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“Is it ever okay to argue with a brother? What if he is in sin and I am trying to help him?”

Job 6:24-25 reads: “24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. 25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?”

This passage is very clear that while it is sometimes needful to rebuke a brother who is in sin, it is never appropriate to argue with him about the matter. There are right and wrong ways to reprove. If we need to show our fellow Christian that they are in error, it must be in the spirit of love, never in a spirit of arguing and strife.

Also, we always need to make sure that we are using the Word of God as our source of judgment, never our own personal opinions!

2 Timothy 2: 14: “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers.”

Amos 3: “3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing?”

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“What about arguing with a non-Christian? After all, it could save his soul, right?”

Scripture tells us not to argue with a fool, lest we become like him (Proverbs 26:4) Keep in mind, the Bible’s usage of the word “fool” is different from the definition we use today. The term has nothing to do with one’s worldly intelligence, but rather their intelligence on spiritual matters. Therefore, a non-Christian = “fool”. Furthermore, we are instructed not to “cast our pearls before swine” or “give that which is holy unto the dogs”. (Matthew 7:6) Also,  In 2 Timothy 2 we read:  23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.

1 Timothy 6 says: 3 “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: FROM SUCH WITHDRAW THYSELF.”
(emphasis added)

 If we are trying to lead a non-Christian toward God, arguing with them is not going to do the trick. It always drives a fool away because they CAN not – WILL not understand, where they are at right now. I have found it much more effective to timely lay the truth out on the table, take-it-or-leave-it style. Then stop there. If they want to have a heated debate, politely back out. You will not win a soul by arguing. What you will end up doing is making yourself look foolish. “The preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness.” (1 Corinthians 1:18)

Here are a couple of secular quotes that I find most suitable:

“Never argue with a fool – an onlooker may not be able to tell the difference” – Mark Twain

“With fools forbear to argue–better strive to wake the dead.”  – BHARTRHARI


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“What do I do if someone is pressing me to argue? If I give in, it is wrong. On the other hand, if I don’t, won’t it make me look like a coward? That could put a bad light on Christianity!”

We should note that before Jesus’ death, when He was being tried before the Sanhedrin, He never made argument against their many false accusations. To some questions He replied with a simple, straightforward answer; to other questions He remained completely silent, causing them to marvel! I hope you will read some of the verses I have compiled here – they are very convicting!

(Matthew 26:59-64; Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 14:60-62; Mark 15:1-5; Luke 22:66-71; Luke 23:3-4; John 18:33-38)

Pay close attention to Jesus’ words in Luke 22:67-68:

“67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.”

Jesus was no coward, and He was not afraid to stand up for truth. What He did know was when to hold His peace. Following our Lord’s example, we should be well aware that there are many out there who are not truly seeking answers, but who sincerely want to argue. That sort would love nothing more than for you to join them in their unhealthy, ungodly habits. Remember, misery loves company!

Decide for yourselves, Sisters. What kind of woman is it that engages in arguing: a spiritual woman, or a carnal woman? Let us put away fleshly arguing, and rather begin speaking the truth in love!

Please feel free to leave a comment! I would love to hear your thoughts. Perhaps you have a word of encouragement, or a tip on overcoming the addiction of arguing. Share with us!

God bless, and take a chill pill!
CA Bolks


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