Annoyances, irritations and harassments

[Fragrant Grace]

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness
Colossians 3:12-14

The true victory is not found in escaping or evading trials--but in rightly meeting and enduring them.

The questions should not be,
"How can I get out of these trials?
How can I get into a place where there shall be no irritations, nothing to try my temper, or put my patience to the test?
How can I avoid the annoyances which continually harass me?"

There is nothing noble in such living.
The soldier who flees when he smells the battle is no hero; he is a coward.

The questions should rather be:
"How can I pass through these trying experiences--and not fail as a Christian?
How can I endure these struggles--and not suffer defeat? How can I live amid these provocations, these reproaches and testings of my temper--
and yet live sweetly, not speaking harshly, bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle answers to insulting words?"

(From: JR Miller: Help for the day - circa 1882)

Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus
Romans 15:5

 

[SpiritLedEd]

The questions should rather be:
"How can I pass through these trying experiences--and not fail as a Christian? ]

For some years I've been in the habit of sincerely surrendering my will and my life to God's care almost on a daily basis. That plus Bible study and active involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous and seeing The Lord at work there has been of tremendous help as I've passed through the trials of my life with the Holy Spirit's empowering.

SLE

 

[PrayerWarr1or]

I find my failure imminent on a daily basis. But as of late I revel in my weaknesses. It of course gives me that realization that without God and his daily guidance I am doomed to fail in all ways and I will leave as a harsh demon would have me live. I'm not going to say I face challenges with courage all the time, but by God's grace, He even physically appeals to my soul to not forget him at those times. :1