A follow up to my post God is _____? Part 5
"(Love) is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong." -1 Corinthians 13:5
We don't get easily angered, do we?
Haha. If anyone has little siblings, I think you know what I mean. Those small things that tick you off - songs sung in the wrong keys, eyes peering over your shoulder as you reply to emails, random little people jumping out to scare you... you get my point. =) I wouldn't say I get "angry"...maybe "upset", "irritated" "or annoyed" would be better words.
Have you ever felt that way? Do little things bug you? Do you struggle with loving the annoying people in your life? I know I do. Whether or not you lash out at the person who bothers you, it's wrong to get upset at those little things. If we are striving to live like Jesus, then what should our lives look like?
"The Lord is slow to anger..." (Nahum 1:3a)
"The Lord is slow to anger..." (Nahum 1:3a)
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on
tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering; bearing
with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint
against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." (Colossians 3:12-13)
There you have it. We need to be slow to anger. Patient. Compassionate. Gracious. Forgiving. Why? Because God has done the same for us!
I have in no way mastered this. I struggle to always have patience. It's hard to forgive those who bug us on a daily basis! But it's 100% necessary for those striving to live a God-honoring life.
What about "keeping a record of wrongs"? It's easy to fall into a pattern of thinking. That person always does this to me, so he'll probably do it again. I can't forgive him! What's the opposite of keeping a record of wrongs?
Forgiveness!
Did you see the passage from Colossians that I posted above? "Even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." Instead of holding grudges or remembering what someone said to make you mad, forgive them. Love them. Give them a second chance. (Just like Christ has done for you and me!)
Easier said than done, right? We know that we shouldn't allow ourselves to be angered by little things. We also know that we should forgive the person and not hold it against them. But how do we take the first step?
I don't have a clean-cut answer. This is between you and God. Ask Him for patience, forgiveness, and love. If there is a certain person that you need to love more, pray for him. Maybe do some random acts of kindness towards that person. Hold your tongue when they ruffle your feathers. I'm with you in this challenge. I'm going to try (and pray!) to be a patient, loving sister and friend to those around me. Even when it's hard. No, especially when it's hard!
Ultimately, show them Christ's love. Maybe that's what they need to change. Maybe they need a friend - someone who doesn't judge them, hate them, or ignore them. Be that person.
How are you going to show love to someone who you don't get along with? Do you have any thoughts on these qualities of God? Comment below!
What a challenging post, Hosanna!! You have it right on. How hard it is to love those in our lives who are just plain difficult. It's so true though that Jesus forgave us for so much more than we'll ever have to forgive and he had to suffer and be mistreated so I think we should feel joy to be able to suffer as well like He did as it says in James.. It's so terribly hard though! =)
ReplyDeleteI've thoroughly enjoyed this series so far! Super challenging!
Great thoughts, Hannah!
DeleteYes...Jesus has done so much for us! I don't think anyone truly understands how much He gave up by coming down to earth in a human form to die for us. Why do we feel almost "above" Him sometimes? We get upset when we suffer at all (even the slightest things). We don't want to be a servant. We want to be happy all. the. time. It's a constant struggle to live like Jesus. =)
It is so helpful to have Christian friends encouraging us towards the final goal. Thank YOU! =)
I've really been enjoying this series, Hosanna! Another post with lots to think about. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad, Emily!
DeleteI've enjoyed writing these posts, though I haven't been the most consistent with them. =) Going slowly through a passage of the Bible is a wonderful experience. I've often been writing these posts for my readers, but God convicted me of my own actions not lining up to my words! Lol! I'm glad that you haven't tired of my series posts. =) Thanks for the comment! <3
Hosanna. God is using you to speak to my heart. This was a great post!!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd you're so right. Our siblings are some of the most important people not to get irritated with, and yet they are some of the people that are easiest to get irritated at! But I've got to remember that God put my siblings where they are for a reason, and He has allowed me to be their sister for a reason. Obviously, the reason isn't so that I can just be self-centered and irritated with them all the time. It's so that I can be an example to them, not saying,'Be like me' but rather pointing to Christ and saying, 'Be like Him.'
Anyway, all that to say, this was a great post, Hosanna!!
-Ariel
I'm so glad, Ariel!!
DeleteYour words are very true. It almost seems as if everyone has several different "personalities." We act one way in front of our family - usually the worst. When we are among our friends, we act totally different. And then there's our online life...the list could go on and on. I think we could all say that we would be embarrassed for our friends to see some of the things we say and do to our siblings. Why is it so much harder to love them and to have patience with them all the time?! =(
Our life at home with large families is definitely a blessing in disguise. As adults we will probably be able to see how much patience, love, and Godly character we were able to gain through our siblings trials. ;)
Thanks for the thought-provoking comments! I greatly enjoy reading them. Carry on the good fight!
Amazing points! I love all of these Bible verses.
ReplyDeleteWith love and all joy,
Allie D.
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Thank you Allie!
DeleteI'm glad that you enjoyed the post. I hope God used it to convict you...I know He did it for me! =) I wouldn't call myself an angry person, but having patience is very hard...especially with lots of siblings. =) It's good practice though! ;)
I totally get the 'songs sung in the wrong key - that annoys me too. :) I guess God trains us on those little things to help us grow in patience and forgiveness, so that when bigger difficulties or annoyances come, we'll be able to overcome them..
ReplyDeleteThanks for thing thought-provoking post, Hosanna! This is definitely something I need to be thinking about. :)
YES JESSICA! There are so many songs sung in the wrong keys. Lol. It's good practice though. ;)
DeleteVery true! Our childhood lives here are like practice grounds for our adult lives. Here we learn to live under the authority of our parents. Later we learn to live under the authority of God and (for some) our husband. We should never downplay the importance of our "simple" lives before adulthood... these years are vital to growing up as women after God's heart! Patience, obedience, and so many other qualities are best learned in the home.
I'm so glad that you were blessed by this post. <3
Hi Hosanna! I just want to add my "thanks". :) It's so true that anger is anger (or irritation) even if I don't lash out. God sees what I hide from people and if I want to be more like Him (which I do) than I need to be much less irritable.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jordy! =)
DeleteYour thoughts are very true. I also want to be more like Him...but having patience seems impossible at times, doesn't it? It's a constant struggle - but one that is very necessary. I think God gave me little siblings to encourage me in the area of patience and kindness instead of becoming irritable. ;) They sure help!