Throwing A Tantrum
I knew what the correct and Godly actions should be, but that didn’t make it easy to do them.
Reference: v.4a God will continue to be true even when every person is false. (NCV Bible)
Explore: The other day I chucked a hissy fit. Sure, I was in my car, on my own so nobody saw me, but I must confess I totally threw a tantrum. Without going into too much detail, someone had really upset me, yet I felt convicted to do the right thing and rise above my frustration… and I hated that. Although I was on my own, I was shouting at the top of my voice and I may even have been waving my arms around in the air! I was so frustrated that someone else had done wrong to me and yet I felt that I needed to rise above my selfish hurts and act in grace and love. I believe some of the words I proclaimed were, “Why do I always have to be the one to rise above? I’m sick of it! I know you do it every day God, but why can’t I just feel justified in being selfish for once!” I knew what the correct and Godly actions should be, but that didn’t make it easy to do them.
Application: The amazing thing about God, is that his love and grace toward us is not bound by how loving and gracious we are toward others. Even if we put ourselves first every single day, God still offers us His love and grace. The difference comes when we accept that amazing gift and then we feel that we should do the same. That’s when the challenging situations really start! But, no matter how testing it may be for me to offer love and grace to someone who has wronged me, I know, with all confidence, that it is God who has offered me this first.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for the huge sacrifice you made for me. I will never stop needing your love and grace. Amen.
When have you found it difficult to act with love and grace?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.