on repeat.
Impatience and Irritability
Another humble read for this quarter, “Respectable Sins” by Jerry Bridges.
An excerpt from chapter 14 (p. 117-118) I was blessed with today, this afternoon, right now.
“The actual cause of our impatience lies within our own hearts, in our own attitude of insisting that others around us conform to our expectations.
The apostle Paul, in several of his letters, exhorts us to be patient. In 1 Corinthians 13, the great “love” chapter, he leads off his description of love by saying, “Love is patient.” In Galatians 5:22-23, patience is one of the nine expressions of the fruit of the Spirit. In Ephesians 4:1-2, Paul urges us to live our lives with patience, and in Colossians 3:12, we are to put on patience. Clearly, with Paul (who, I remind us, was not expressing merely his own opinion but was writing under the guidance of the Holy Spirit) the quality of patience is a virtue to be cultivated. And by reasonable inference we can say that impatience, the opposite of patience, is is a sin to be put to death in our lives. though it may be acceptable to us, it is not acceptable to God.
Impatience is a strong sense of annoyance or exasperation, irritability, as I define it, describes the frequency of impatience, or the ease with which a person can become impatient over the slightest provocation. The person who easily and frequently becomes impatient is an irritable person. Most of us can become impatient at times, but the irritable person is impatient most of the time. The irritable person is one whom you feel you have to tiptoe or “walk on eggshells” around…
Are you upset with someone or some circumstances a lot of time? If so, you may well be an irritable person. If you are frequently upset with another person (or persons), you may need to learn to overlook their unintentional actions. Proverbs 19:11, thought addressing the topic of anger says, “It is [one's] glory to overlook an offense.” And Peter wrote, “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). We might say that if love covers a multitude of sins, how much more should it cover a multitude of acts that irritate us.”
This is not it. Bridges elaborates more about how to deal with this sin in the chapter. It’s definitely a good book to pick up and end up like the humble tax collector that said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner” (Luke 18:13).
Treasure
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
(Matthew 6:20-21 ESV)
rejuvenate
Ran into my neighbor the other day and had a quick conversation. That short 2-min talk left me with this: “Whatever you do, don’t rush. Take your time.”
I am a bit overwhelmed this quarter and most of it is due my horrible planning. Taking 18 units with 4 hours of off-site observation and working is harder than what I expect it to be. Along with that, lately there are just so many things on my plate. Lots of thinking and looking into options after graduation. At the same time I have to keep in mind “the heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9) It’s a humbling reminder for me to rejoice in him always in all circumstances.
I had one resolution made at the beginning of this year and I’m adding another one. #2) James 1:21.
For the rest of my week:
- Pray! Pray! Pray for wisdom and a patient heart
- Read a chapter of John everyday
- Be a good steward (school and time)
An Unforgettable Spring Break
My first road trip + first time traveling to another state (several states!) other than California + first time hiking in Zion National Park + first time living in a tent for several days + first time having kbbq out in the forest = Most amazing Senior Trip…ever.
There were many moments in this trip I will never forget. From the beginning to the end, I feel God’s presence everywhere. The beautiful creation at Zion National Park and the loving brothers & sisters I get to spend time with for 5 days, I have to say I’m so blessed and so undeserving for every everything. I feel so small and fickle, just like a dust, when I look onto the love and grace Christ bestows me. It was a fun and adventurous experience out there in the wildlife. You have no idea how much we praise God for this trip.
