Reacting To Hurtful Comments

Charles Swindoll said, “Life is about 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.”

This quote reminds me of a difficult season Joe and I went through in our marriage when we allowed the 10% to dictate the 90%.

Time and time again, whenever we discussed an issue we disagreed on, one of us would inevitably say something that did not feel good for the other to hear.

The internal pain experienced from hearing the comment typically sparked an emotional reaction, which inevitably morphed the conversation into an argument.

Unfortunately, we could not see what was happening and why at the time. But eventually, through many similarly painful experiences, we learned that “the 10%” of what is said or done to us never justifies “the 90%” of our bad behavior that followed.

We always have a choice in how we respond to painful situations.  We can react in a way that glorifies Jesus and honors our spouse, or we can dishonor both—the choice is ours.

What about you?  What quote has positively impacted your marriage that you live by today? Let me know in the comments below.