Plucking My Last Nerve
Unless you live in a bubble, you have likely had someone tell you something or do something that plucked your last nerve and made you want to react immediately. We may differ in our reactions, but we do react. Some of us speak out right away, letting it be known how that action made us feel. While others reserve reaction even to the point of stuffing it away. We think we'll deal with it later...or let it simmer... until we blow up. Any of these reactions sound relatable to you?
I often get quiet. Take a step back. Give myself some space so I don't 'blow a cork' as my Dad would say. That might not be a such a bad idea...except when I don't deal with my feeling about it. If I don't take time to choose to forgive and let it go....that offense will fester. Oh it may not be visible on the outside, but just let that same person pluck that same nerve again...and now I've got a double portion stored up and ready to launch!
James gives us such good advice for living with and dealing with people. In James 1:19-20 (ESV) he said, "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Be willing to hear them out. Allow space to let perspective into my thinking. Here's the real work: be slow to speak...AND...slow to anger. Just being silent but filled with rage is a ticking time bomb. When we want to be more Christlike, James is very clear. We cannot walk in God's righteousness and be angry. It is a choice and when we choose God's way - we will listen more, speak less and let offenses go.
Read more devotions written by Denise Harper at Treasured Inside
https://deniseharper.blog
