Chatting with a good friend today, she explained to me a frustrating situation she has been experiencing. She felt cornered and bound within the situation, but even worse she felt guilty for the angry feelings she has been having as a result. She was asking for advice on how to mend the problem and overcome her anger. And this is where I put the story on pause because although she was asking me for advice I needed to hear my advice just as much or more than she did!
Amidst the conversation, I never realized that God was speaking to me regarding an issue within my own heart ... conviction through the very words I was speaking. Isn't it crazy how we sometimes become our own prophets? While we were talking, I was reminded of the verse that says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble". I looked it up and found James 4 ... the whole chapter is advice on handling quarrels and confrontations. Once the verse came to me, another profound word just began to flow: "Apologize for your angry reaction. Humility is a characteristic of integrity and it makes you even more valued by others because it becomes the basis for your reputation." Basically, what I was saying was show humility by acknowledging your wrong actions. Although your frustration with the situation and the motivation of your anger were not necessarily wrong, the outburst served the purpose of whittling away at your reputation. Restore your position through apology.
Apologies are great! First of all, when an apology is sincere and timely it puts everyone on the same ground level. Secondly, apologies send an invitation to God, asking Him to be present ... the Lord gives grace to the humble. Lastly, the act of a sincere apology opens the door for communication and restoration. To sum it all up, one act of sincere humility serves to build an even stronger relationship with others and with God.
James 4:6 "But He gives us more grace. That is why the scripture says: 'God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.'"
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