Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. (Eccl. 7:9). Rejoice, though now for a little while… you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold. (1 Pet. 1:6).
Heavenly Father, on this February Tuesday, I need these attitude-check passages. For I’ve been indulging a low-grade irritation for a few days. I’m embarrassed to even speak of my irritants as “trials,” because I didn’t go to bed hungry or thirsty last night. I didn’t hear gunfire echoing through my neighborhood. I can still buy Bibles of every size, cover, and translation.
My “trials” are mainly the common stressors, predictable pressures, and normal messes of life in a fallen world—experienced as a selfish man. Long lines, slow traffic, delivery delays, schedule changes… these aren’t Godzilla walking into my village.
Thank you for the kind highway patrolman that only gave me a warning ticket Sunday afternoon. I receive it as a common grace and Fatherly-warning from you. “Slow down, stay gentle, be wise, Scotty.” I need to practice more “grace-chill.”
In the hard things and heartaches of life—but also in the ordinary disappointments, inconveniences, irritants of life, I want to honor you, Father. So very Amen I pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.
