Are you an early bird or night owl? Or, to be a little more scientific what is your chronotype? Yup, you’ve guessed it, there is a science behind how our body-clocks are wired. Apparently, it all comes down to our circadian clock.
It isn’t unusual to find couples running on different clocks. One wants to stay up late while the other is climbing into their PJs at 9.30pm. One gets up at the crack of dawn, and the other would prefer to miss the morning altogether. If you’re running on a different clock than your spouse are there times in your day which are ‘grumpy o’clock’? Perhaps you are both grumpy at the same time!
Can you relate to this old joke?
I woke up grumpy this morning. That was a mistake I should have let my wife/husband sleep.
Well, this article isn’t about getting rid of your husband or wife it’s about getting rid of the grumpy from you. It’s easy to fall into the excuse of tiredness for our irritability or crankiness but is it ever really justified? If we look at what the Bible says then we have to get rid of our excuses.
- Choose how you start the day. Even if you are not a morning person start each day with a positive attitude.
Psalm 118:24 ESV This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Be kind. Perhaps you’re the morning person but your spouse isn’t. Make sure that you are kind to them and if they don’t like a whole lot of noise first thing then quiet down a bit. If it’s the reverse and you come alive at night when your spouse wants to go to sleep, then this verse also applies!
Ephesians 4:32 ESV Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. - Stop making excuses. Whatever body clock you’re on break the cycle of being grumpy! Sometimes we allow bad habits to develop and make an excuse for our behaviour. It doesn’t matter what side you get out of bed the issue is whether you got up with a good attitude or not.
Philippians 2:14 ESV Do all things without grumbling or questioning.
By Lainey Hitchman
