“The tiny rutter steers the whole ship…”

Have you ever known that you were right about something beyond a shadow of a doubt only to find out later that you were wrong? Have you acted upon your assumption in such a way that you were too embarrassed to go back and admit your error once the truth was revealed?

In my younger years, I was known for being “hot-tempered” and “fiesty”.  If someone looked at me the wrong way – no matter how large or small the person was – I was “in their face”.  I believed that confrontation was “a good thing”.  HOWEVER, over the years, the Lord has tamed me and softened me by allowing me to totally embarrass myself with my quick reactions.

I remember one time (years ago) when I was in the grocery store line.  The lady at the checkout was SO SLOW; and I was SO IMPATIENT!  The longer I waited for her to check out the people in front of me, the more frustrated I became.  Now you have to understand, I do everything in a hurry!  I’m like Mary and Martha…all rolled into one.  My heart’s desire it to spend time with the Lord, basking in His presence.  While at the same time, I’m one of the busiest people I’ve ever met.  Sitting still or waiting is a huge challenge for me!

Anyway,  by the time I got up to the register, steam was “rolling out of ears”.  It was obvious that I wasn’t happy with the whole situation.  About the time I started to open my mouth to say something “not so nice”, I looked down and realized that I was wearing a T-shirt that had “JESUS” in large, bold letters across the front of it.  Immediately, I was convicted by the Holy Spirit!  I settled myself down, paid for my groceries, and held back the tears of my shame until I could get to my car.

That day taught me a lesson and moved me to begin praying, “Lord, I don’t usually struggle with my actions;  but my REACTIONS bring shame to Your name.  Help me learn to RESPOND instead of REACT.”

I would like to tell you that God totally delivered me of my reactions and “my mouth”.  However, honesty shall prevail…….I have to be on “high alert” every day in every situation to be certain that I don’t bring shame to my Lord’s name by over-reacting to different stresses that arise on a daily basis.  Thankfully, most of the time I bring glory to God’s name with my responses.  Sometimes, though, I still fail.  When I do, I get that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Then, I repent and apologize – not only to God but to whomever was in the path of my reaction.

Ephesians 4:1-3 says this:  “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech [encourage] you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”

Maybe you sometimes struggle with your reactions.  Maybe you’ve felt the shame and the conviction of being a poor example of the love and patience of Christ.  If you’ve been where I’ve been, let me encourage you:  Learn to stay on “high alert” in your area of struggle.  Learn to repent quickly and humble yourself to ask forgiveness – not only from God but from those whom you’ve offended.