Sometimes I Get Mad 😡


Standing at the counter with my two sons and niece we placed our orders. I paid, and the server began filling our tray. She placed 5 drinks on the tray which seemed odd. I looked at my receipt and realized I had paid for 5 drinks. As she dropped off fries I spoke up, "Excuse me, I only ordered 4 drinks." Her reply, "You ordered 5," and she walked away. 
I felt a little confused and a bit angry. 
She returned with chicken nuggets.
"There are only 4 of us. Maybe we ordered 5 drinks by mistake, but I only want 4." Her stern response, "You ordered 5, you get 5," and again she walks away.
I'm a pretty laid back guy...I felt mad.

What makes you mad? 
The kids?
A coworker?
Your neighbor?
Everybody gets angry. 
It's what we do with it that matters.

James wrote about our response in these verses. "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20 NIV.
You reverse the order to find what comes naturally. Human nature leads us to be quick to become angry, quick to speak, and slow to listen. This order doesn't produce the righteousness of God in our lives, however, and it's the kingdom of God and its' righteousness that Jesus taught us to seek first.

When someone pushes your buttons, as we say, try the order that James gives us. Let's slow down, and allow the righteousness of God to be produced in our lives. Save your anger for matters of righteousness. Get angry because children are kidnapped and sold into slavery, not because the cook put mayo on your sandwich when you said mustard. Be sure that what you're angry about really matters, which requires slowing down a bit. 

 When you do you'll be glad you did, and so will everyone else around you.

Following the Son,

James A Williams

 P.S. As I stood thinking about how to respond a manager walked by. I never brought up my previous conversations with the cashier. I just told him there were 4 of us and somehow I ended up with 5 drinks on our order. He opened the register with a smile and returned my money.
Slow down, think your response through, proceed calmly. You got this 👍🏼.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more