Stop Reading His Mail!

by Niki Turner

In the United States, tampering with someone else's mail is considered a Federal offense, punishable by law. But in the body of Christ, we tamper with each other's heavenly mail all the time.

How so? Here's one example:

You're listening to a sermon, and you are thoroughly convicted that every word of correction coming from the pulpit is intended for Brother or Sister So-and-So. "They oughta be here," you think... "This word is for them!"

You know what? God is well aware of who is sitting in that service, and He orchestrated that Word to come forth for the people present. Including you and me. OUCH.

Even worse, you're sitting next to the individual, and you proceed to elbow him or her throughout the service when the minister's comments seem particularly appropriate to your neighbor's life. It's hard enough to be corrected by God, let's not make it more difficult by adding our pointy elbows to our neighbor's discomfort!

"I'd never do that."
Mm-hmm.

When was the last time your husband offended you, was insensitive to your feelings, or forgot to do something he told you he would take care of, and you yanked out your sword of the spirit and used it to slice him to ribbons in the realm of your mind? (Or in his face ... hopefully, we're all more wiser and more mature than that!)

Ever had a prayer session that looked like this?

Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered. 1 Peter 3:7 NKJV
(Jabbing your finger at the page in frustration.)

Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them. Col 3:19 NKJV
 (You see, Lord, he's not doing his part!)

So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. Eph 5:28 NKJV
(This isn't fair, Lord! He's not obeying You!)

While that may be true, the problem with this line of thinking is that you're out of line, too. You're reading his instructions, not your own. In effect, you are tampering with his heavenly mail.

You aren't responsible for your husband's actions or his attitudes. His obedience (or disobedience) is not your concern. You, however, are responsible for your own attitude, actions, behaviors, and yes, obedience to God's instructions to you.

Even when our husbands have dropped the proverbial hubby ball, we aren't excused from doing our part. Why? Because we are supposed to obey God's word, His instructions to wives, "as unto the LORD." We're not to look to our husbands for our happiness, our contentment, our motivation, our passion, or the fulfillment of our dreams. When we roll the care of our husbands over on God, He is able to work with,  through, and sometimes even in spite of them to be the husbands we need.

The next time you're tempted to throw hubby's heavenly mail at him, stop and reread the messages God gave to wives. You might discover you've got some unfinished assignments of your own to take care of!

 Niki Turner writes romantic fiction, Christian non-fiction, blog posts, articles in the local newspaper, lengthy grocery lists, and Facebook status updates. Her first completed manuscript won second place in the 2009 Touched By Love contest for contemporary category romance. Colorado natives, Niki and her husband of 20+ years have four children  (three still at home) and are new grandparents to a baby boy. In 1998 they planted a church in rural northwestern Colorado. Currently, they share their home with three teenage boys, two black Lab mutts, and Niki’s absurdly spoiled Westie, Archie. Niki can be found at In Truer Ink, her personal blog and website, here at Inkwell Inspirations, and at Inkwell Inspirations.