Understanding

Proverbs 21:9

“It is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman”

I remember watching an episode of Dr. Phil where a couple were arguing back and forth. Finally after hearing a laundry list of complaints from the wife, Dr. Phil looked at her and asked, “Do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?” Throughout Proverbs Solomon warns about women he calls contentious or quarrelsome. And when we read what he says, we as women may feel a bit indignant. After all what’s wrong with being a women with an opinion and not afraid to defend it? But it’s important to know that never does Solomon say that women should be seen and not heard. That we shouldn’t speak our minds, or share our feelings. His point is this. Often times the problem doesn’t lie in the message, but rather the delivery. For nothing makes people shut down faster than approaching them in an argumentative, contentious, or quarrelsome way. Instead we should seek ways to resolve conflicts peacefully and respectfully. Gently and lovingly fostering an environment of understanding and compromise.