“Fools show their annoyance at once but a wise person stays calm….” (Prov.12:16)
Lord Jesus, in preparation for new carpet in a bedroom—I cleaned out a closet, drawers, and armoire yesterday. It reconvinced me of this: Annoyance is not a fruit of the Spirit. It’s one thing to muse with curiosity, “Wow…Where did all this stuff come from?” But another to become a grumbly judge, jury, and executioner. Clutter happens; resentment, annoyance, and infuriation aren’t my only options.
Confession: I’m annoyed by the guy who races me when two lanes are becoming one. I get annoyed when the gas pump trickles, when waiters fish for a bigger tip, and when fish won’t bite. I’m annoyed at people who get easily annoyed, and when there’s not enough milk for a late-night cereal, by most shades of the color orange, and by spam—in a can and on my phone.
Of late I’ve been super-annoyed by politics and politicians, by cancer cells and loss of balance, by Christians who say, “It’s never been worse” and by churches that make more of the flag than your cross. O, Jesus, if only those were the only things that annoyed me.
Here’s the deal: we live between your resurrection and return, Jesus, and there isn’t one thing or one person that doesn’t show the effects of sin and death. Brokenness is everywhere and in everyone. But as for me, I want to take responsibility of my cluttered heart; for that is a way bigger issue than cluttered closets, cluttered traffic, cluttered government, churches, and culture.
My prayer? Jesus, gentle my heart with your kindness, mercy, and grace. You are the Prince of peace, not the promoter of my bad attitudes. Grant me quicker repentances. Thank you for dying for all of my sins—including my “annoy-ability.”
I love being loved by you. I have no greater hope than knowing one Day I will love like you love, and that one Day all creation will be filled with your truth, goodness, and beauty. So Very Amen.
