Moving from a country with a relatively moderate climate to one which has hot summers has proved to be quite a challenge. It certainly would be easier if we had the luxury of air conditioning, however, unfortunately we don’t. Feeling hot and sticky is not the most pleasant feeling and irritation levels can increase as we all try and cope with the heat.
The heat reminded me of an experience we had on a missionary training course with MTI. We were divided into two teams and taken into a hot and stuffy room. In that room we went through a number of stressful scenarios to determine how we cope under pressure. The group Roy was in seemed to be incredibly thoughtful. As the heat in the room increased they made fans and tried to cool each other down. The heat in the room I was in didn’t just increase in temperature, but also the heat increased as tempers came to the surface.
How do you cope with ‘heat’? When you are under pressure do you help one another or just get at one another? I learned a lot about myself that day, unfortunately, I discovered a lot I didn’t like about myself.
Next time you are under pressure, instead of looking at what your spouse is or isn’t doing to help you, take the time to think about what you are doing to help them. If you both focus on each other’s needs you will find you can not only overcome the obstacles but you will also grow closer as a result.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
