Following the floods in Hungary and army of mosquitos seem determined to plague the inhabitants. Stand still for more than a few seconds and an ominous high pitched buzzing soon lets you know that another is seeking you out.
A tranquil evening turns out looking like some bizarre dance which involves people repeatedly slapping themselves or swiping the air. While the buzz is irritating and the bite hurts it is nothing compared to the persistent itch that you are left with after it flies away full of your blood.
The itch is caused by the mosquito’s saliva which remains in our bodies. Our bodies react by producing histamine to break down the proteins from its saliva.
There are many times in marriage that a tranquil evening can turn into an unpleasant one. We can do or say the wrong thing and cause irritation to our spouse. Our words don’t just stay for a moment but they linger on in our spouse’s mind causing pain and discomfort. The itch doesn’t immediately go away, it needs treatment, it needs time.
One advice article says the first thing you should do when you get bitten by a mosquito is to wash the bite with soapy water.
- Do we take time to ask forgiveness for the words that we said?
- Do we choose to forgive when our spouse has said they are sorry?
- Don’t scratch the area of the bite, it makes it worse!
- Do we rehearse the things that our spouse said? This can make it even more painful and spread the reaction.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
One interesting home remedy is to apply honey to the bite.
If we hurt each other do we take time to smooth over those hurts and say encouraging words instead?
Proverbs 16:24
Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
