“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone…” (2 Tim. 2:24). “It’s better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman (man, child, spouse, co-worker, fellow-believer, neighbor, etc.) (Prov. 21:19). “My dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry” (James 1:19).
Jesus, your Word is a mirror, lamp, well-spring of truth, and conduit of Gospel-sanity. You convict us without condemning us. You bring an “ouch” to bring us to more grace and freedom. Thank you.
As I sit in this tapestry of verses, I’m asking myself on this July Wednesday, am I like this? Is this the way I communicate my opinions and engage my neighbors? Am I the quarrelsome and fretful person that makes life in a desert-land attractive to others? Am I quicker at getting angry than getting information? I so hope not, Lord.
Forgive me when I lose sight of the real issues, fertilize my anger, and multiply my words. Forgive me when my mouth speaks Gospel but my eyes, posture, and tone speak resentment, impatience, and “snark.” Forgive me when I react out of irritation in the moment, rather than grace from above.
I want to lead with kindness, not “rightness.” Loving is much more important than winning. Convict me quickly when I lose sight of the occupied throne of heaven, resulting in meager faith, power struggles, and acting like I’m not a beloved child of Abba. So Very Amen.