Its easy to nag and get results - it even feels good to get all that annoyance out your system!  But in reality, the results are forced or resented compliance, causing animosity in our relationships.  The job gets done but unless change comes from choice it doesn't last.


I've known that for a while so I tend not to nag (At least I try not to!  hey I'm not perfect!).  I got mad at my hubby for something today (something trivial - isn't that the norm!) and decided not to nag.  I had a really miserable day because Barry was blissfully unaware that I was annoyed and so nothing changed! 


I prayed and asked God 'Whats that about??  It says in the bible you're better off living in the attic or living in the desert than to live with a nagging wife.  I did good not to nag so why should I have to suffer and feel rubbish??"  The answer came in a question "Did you really not nag at all?"  I suddenly realised that I had been nagging all day TO MYSELF!  Its so much worse - not only does it get 'no result' but it causes more damage because the other person is totally unaware your even annoyed!


So, I decided I'm not going to nag, even internally!  When I'm annoyed about something, I go straight to God and tell him "God I'm really annoyed about this, its unfair.  Can you help them to change.  I'm not going to hold on to the annoyance.  I'm going to forgive and get on with my day.  God, I'm looking forward to seeing the change that only you can make."


It works!!  Every time I pray instead of nagging, I get an apology or the change I wanted to see will suddenly happen.  Try it!  But don't tell your husband the secret - just love him and appreciate the changes :-)


Nagging = resentful/forced compliance
Internal Nagging = No result!
Shut it, Pray, Wait = heartfelt response/lasting change

I sat in darkness tonight watching my baby boy fall asleep.  He looked so innocent, vulnerable and small.  My thoughts turned to other children in our world... I sat aware of the fact that as I watched my gorgeous little boy, somewhere else a baby lay in its mothers arms dying of starvation, another child was being beaten at the hands of angry parents because he wouldn't go to sleep, another child was sick, lying limp in parents arms as they felt helpless.  My heart began to really ache.  God, there is so much pain amongst the children of our world.  What can we do?  It seems such an unrealistic goal to change the world we live in.  The answer came... pray... pray for the children you don't know, pray for those you can't physiclly help, pray specifically.  So I did.  My heart ached even more as I prayed for little hurt children I don't know.  As the tears streamed down my face children I knew began to drop into my thoughts and I knew God was telling me to pray for them too.  

There is unneccesary suffering in our world but there are things we can do to help.  Compassion hurts and can sometimes feel like your heart is breaking but we have it for a reason.  Don't brush it aside, embrace it and ask God what you personally can do. 

visit www.jamuk.org to discover just one organisation making a huge difference to the lives of children in Africa.