"My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." James 1:19
Quick to Listen
Slow to Speak
Slow to become Angry
Sadly these 3 things are SO hard to do. I fail miserably at all of them. Last night I was cleaning the carpet and the carpet cleaner was behaving weirdly. I wanted him to fix it...immediately! I just wanted to finish the last bit of carpet and go to bed.
QUICK TO LISTEN
Slow to Speak
Slow to become Angry
I wanted HIM to LISTEN to ME! Did I hear him telling me he wasn't sure what was wrong with it? That he didn't know how to fix it? No...I was too busy telling him I needed him to fix it!
Quick to Listen
SLOW TO SPEAK
Slow to become Angry
With raised voice, and furrowed brow, I gave him the stink eye. Impatient, I snapped: "YOU'RE NOT LISTENING TO ME!" I proceeded to SAY whatever it was AGAIN! Snap! Snap! Snap!
Quick to Listen
Slow to Speak
SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY
Angry I slammed the bedroom door...and sat on the bed. Shaking with rage I was mad at him for not being able to fix it quickly, for not listening, for being angry with me. I was mad at myself...holding my head I realized I was doing it AGAIN! Speaking rudely, disrespectfully, angry over something totally stupid.
Painfully sinful...and desperately wanting to not be. I hate myself when I am like that! Not fit to be with another human being...let alone one I love! I thought he wasn't listening...I was the one not listening. He didn't seem to understand what I was trying to say...I was not even trying to understand what he was saying to me.
Lord - I am not quick to listen, slow to speak, or slow to become angry...in fact I am the opposite. I am angry...and feel justified in speaking rudely and saying hurtful, mean things. I am nothing like Christ in those moments. I need you Lord! Thank you that you promise to cleanse from all unrighteousness, and continue the work you have begun in me...I need both badly Lord. Thank you that you say that there is now no condemnation because of Jesus. Please Lord work in me to continue to make me like you. Help me to become quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. Help me to be pleasing to you.
T - I'm sorry for being so rude, impatient, unreasonable and angry. Thank you for loving me in spite of my sinfulness. I love you! J.
Timely words, my friend. How sad it is that we, although we LOVE one another, tend to be so quick to turn into stinky little sin monsters with the ones we love the most. Thank God for his mercy, patience, and forgiveness. Like you wrote, I, too, am thankful that "there is now no condemation for those who are in Christ Jesus." And thank God for giving us loved ones who are quick to extend that same mercy, patience, and forgiveness toward us.
ReplyDeleteMy thanks to you and T for your ongoing example of these very principles. Your perseverance is an inspiration to us when the going gets tough. SDG!