Temper, Temper

What annoys you the most? What pet peeve cuts through your patience quicker than anything else? Drives you crazy just to recall it, doesn't it? 

When it comes to these "buttons" of mine, I see just how short lived my patience is. My temper flares up and I'm sent into a sinful rant against my instigator. Last night I battled one of my biggest pet peeves. I was upset and annoyed and then the Holy Spirit cut through my impatience and reminded me of how patient He is. If my own habitual sin wasn't annoying enough, consider all of our sin playing over and over again on God's big screen T.V. He sees it constantly; it's relentless. Yet He is slow to anger and abounding in love! His love never fails. My God does not have a quick temper. He is long-suffering toward me. This reminds me of how great God is. He is bigger than pet peeves. He is far above being annoyed. I'm incapable of such patience but I'm amazed by my Lord who is capable of it and lavishes patient love upon me.

I'll Just Take the Presents, Thank You Very Much

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. (James 1:17 ESV)

I'm really good at loving the gifts Gods gives me more than Him. Be it people, things, or circumstances, I too easily end up clinging to these gifts and worshipping them rather than the perfect Father of mine who's given them to me. I have terribly misplaced gratitude. Perhaps some of it stems from wanting to believe in what is seen rather than the Unseen. However flawed, I find myself more easily putting trust in the presence of people in my life because I can see them and experience them in very tangible ways.

God, you are every bit as real as these people in my life. Needless to say the relationship You offer is perfect and pure. You love me infinitely more deeply than any person (ever). Open my eyes to see You. Help me to see that just to have Your love is already exceedingly more than I deserve. When You give me gifts (however briefly) in my life, bend my heart further toward You! May gratitude overflow in my heart toward You, Jesus. Gratitude that is pure and honoring to You. Gratitude that marvels at Your great love which You lavish upon me. Help me to hold these gifts with open hands. Help me to trust Your judgement. Help me to lean upon Your unending faithfulness. Let my heart be satisfied not in the gifts You give but You alone.