In times of pain or anger, the enemy sometimes finds a crack to slip through. He infects me with a virus of unpleasant thoughts and emotions I fight to purge.  I have to remind myself, usually more than once, of the wisdom of silence (Proverbs 17:28, Proverbs 29:11).  During those moments, I cling to the Word of God, resisting the urge to say or do anything that might hurt another (Ephesians 4:26).

“For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Psalms 30:5

My emotions dissipate in the Light of the Word and, each time, the Lord reminds me that grace and forgiveness grow from love, not equity.

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant of rude.  It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Be careful not to focus on only one side of the story.   It is easy to read this verse when we are hurt or angry and see what love is not, where others have fallen short.  But in doing so, we risk stumbling over our own resentment.

God continually works in our lives.  He does not stop and neither should we.  Every day, every moment is another chance to do better, to love the way He loves us.

“If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:3

Today will pass away and tomorrow will bring new opportunities.

Thank you, Lord, for the wisdom and instruction of your Word.