Surrender to God

“Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (V5) or rude.  It does not demand its own way.  It is not Irritable, and keeps no records of being wronged.”                                                 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

In these sobering verses Paul says that love “is not irritable.”  Sometimes we’re irritated or angered by others, and we don’t know why.  Not all irritability stems from sinful or selfish motives, although the irritable treatment of others surely is wrong.   The Greek word that Paul uses here, paroxyno, which the ESV translates as “Irritable”, can also be translated as “provoked” or “ kindled “ or “incited.”  It’s the same Greek word (paroxyno) that the Greek Old Testament uses in Isaiah 5:25 when the prophet said that God was provoked or kindled to anger by Israel.

Our irritability never has its roots in the soils of righteousness.  It springs out of the soil of selfishness and springs up fast, like the SIN-weed that it is. Pause….  Who of you can relate?  This sin is something that the Father put His finger on as I was writing blogs and learning to navigate through this Blog.  But let’s be clear, this is not a new sin.  It has been hanging around for a bit.  It was at this time and season in my life that God decided to have me see it for what it was, Sin.. It was time to deal with it..  I had to repent.

Join me as we journey together on a 3 plus, year long, on-going Irritation.  My neighbor has a Pine Tree in his front yard, in all actuality that tree belongs in a forest!  Are you with me.., this tree has done substantial damage to our driveway.  The roots from the tree has traveled a sweet distance underground and began to lift our driveway both horizontally and vertically.  But before it  began to uplift the concrete it broke the sidewalk leading into the entryway of the driveway.  So, each time I (I say “I” because it is only bothering me), drive into the driveway, I begin to brace myself, as I can not only feel and hear the crunching sound of broken concrete under my tires, but now it’s time to hold onto the steering wheel as I endure a roller coaster ride.  My driveway is unleveled.  

My neighbor is aware, he often tells my husband and I that he never expected the tree to grow so big? And, to deflect he tells us it’s a tree, that is located adjacent to our property, mmm, a tree that I don’t even own? Each time I drive into my driveway I get irritated at my neighbor.. Every time someone visits us, I feel the need to explain why our driveway is broken up.

 I know that the Lord has done a work in me, with today’s passage of Scripture, because I can write this now with laughter… as I think about how I allowed Satan to keep me involved in this SIN and the fact that I’ve tried to drag my husband into all of this. But he was wise enough not to take the bait.  

Here are a few things to think about the next time you become irritated: They are usually Trigger points:   When something I want is being;  Denied-Delayed or Disrupted.  Here’s how it works: 

When I want to rest, but it’s  Denied- Delayed- or Disrupted…I get Irritated… When I don’t feel well or in pain with no relief…If it is Denied- Delayed-or Disrupted… I get Irritated  When, I’m overwhelmed and the need to escape, is Denied– Delayed– or Disrupted… I get Irritated:  Do you see how this works.

 Let me offer you some helpful tools to assist you as you begin to work toward  breaking the habit of being Irritated, Know first you need the enabling of the Holy Spirit.    You need to STOP and remember to:

S– Stop, and Repent

T– Trust God’s Promises, being irritated steals your JOY & PEACE

O– Obey God’s Word in this area

P– Pray,  remain fervent in prayer

Remind yourself that Love is Patient and Kind, Love is not Jealous or Boastful,  Proud (v-5) or Rude. It does not Demand its own way.  It is not Irritable, and keeps no record of being wronged.’ 

       Be Encouraged Today!     

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27,  Psalm 62:8, Hebrews 12:1-2