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Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful. 1 Cor. 13:4-5 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, though there’s a lot more convicting stuff in this famous passage about love, I need to stop with Paul’s couplet about love not being “irritable or resentful.” I woke up with a measure of each vying for my heart and day.

I need mercy, grace, and centering, Father. So, I come to you—I run to you, thankful for your ready welcome, compassionate heart, and great power. I don’t want this to be a bad attitude day, and as tempting as it is to blame and make excuses for my low-grade irritability, I’ll not give into that bit of foolishness.

I’m canceling my plans for a pity party; and I relinquish my elder-brother attitude of condescension, entitlement, and judgment. Our feelings are to be taken seriously, but our feelings aren’t lord. That title and role belong to Jesus. Easily, 93.2% of my aggravation, irritation, and exasperation are connected to my selfishness, and my sinful illusion that I deserve a predictable, uninterrupted, things-going-my-way week.

So, Father, by your grace, settle me, center me, and gentle me for the day. I’m grateful for your steadfast love, inexhaustible patience, and perpetual kindness. I want to walk in your Spirit today, much more than I want to “cop an attitude,” and leak irritation and resentment everywhere I go.

May I forgive as you’ve forgive us in the gospel, accept others as you’ve accepted us in Christ, and surrender to your Fatherly ordering of circumstances and events. Once again, I trust you for thick skin and a big heart. Free me to love to your glory, all day long. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ great and grace-full name.

 

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