I actually read Unglued a couple months ago, but it is still having influence in my life. The premise of the book is about making wise decisions in the midst of raw emotion. Now, I am quite the emotional person. I won’t cry at a kitten, but I am extremely passionate — about God, about people, about life, about love — therefore, emotion. And lots of it.

“I may not be gentle by nature but I can be gentle by obedience.”

HELLO. I can be quick to assume hurtful intention. Quick to take offense. Quick to react out of hurt feelings. I am not a terribly confrontational being, I often absorb and then communicate. And in those moments, I’m almost always not very gentle. Not having much faith.

“Feelings are indicators, not dictators. They can indicate where your heart is in the moment, but that doesn’t mean they have the right to dictate your behavior and boss you around. You are more than the sum total of your feelings and perfectly capable of that little gift . . . called self-control.”

Now that is something I should probably preach to myself every day. I think this is a vital truth for all relationships, but especially marriage. God gives me the choice to choose. I can choose gentleness, kindness, joy, love, humility — even when it seems ridiculous. Why? Because I hope. And I trust that God is Sovereign. I trust that He cares for me, that He wants the best for me, that He is working in every detail. Because of this I can have self control in situations where it seems impossible. I can have self control (choose openness) when I want to be quiet out of hurt, when I want to short because I’m disappointed, when I want to be unkind because I’m offended.

“It is beautiful when the Master chisels. God doesn’t allow the unglued moments of our lives to happen so we’ll label ourselves and stay stuck. He allows the unglued moments to make us aware of the chiseling that needs to be done.”

Thankful for gracious chiseling. God is not harsh when He chisels. He chisels away at my sinful nature because He loves me. He is my biggest cheerleader, and because of Jesus He is always pleased with me. So pleased He wants me to be the best Chelsea I can be, reflecting Him… so He chisels.

And how do I let Him? Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help to be obedience, to know God’s ways, to trust His promises.