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Meditations on a Proverb

It probably doesn’t take one very long knowing me to pick up on an easily-agitated character. As my friend Alex would say, “it’s one of my quirks.” However one describes it, the truth is that it is a sinful response and Jesus Christ’s blood frees me from it. As I’ve been reminded recently, an attitude that is quick-tempered or overly frustrated is frowned upon and could end up costing me much more than I’m willing to lose if I can help it. God has also reminded me that I am incapable of redeeming my attitude without His merciful help. Perhaps I can control the external responses in my own strength, but real, lasting change only comes through the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It’s this change that I’m after. And it’s for this reason that I write today.

Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.

Proverbs 14:29

As I read this verse, a question comes to mind almost immediately. What is great understanding? How do I come to possess great understanding? As I thought through these questions, I discerned four things that I believe speak of great understanding. All four are found in Scripture. All four are truths that I know but have failed to fully utilize in my pursuit of holiness.

Great understanding is all about having the proper perspective on life, which is only possible through knowledge of and fellowship with Jesus Christ.

1. This is light and momentary. (2 Corinthians 4:17)

I am a sojourner here. My home is Heaven. Every trial I face now will seem miniscule when I am spending eternity with Jesus Christ free from sin.

2. This is God’s grace to me. (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4)

Trials and suffering produce steadfast endurance and lead to godly character and eager anticipation of being made into the image of Christ and eventually being with Him in glory. God is so kind to use all things together for our good. I want to embrace the grace that He desires for me in times of frustration.

3. I am called to shine as a light of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:15)

God has made me his ambassador to proclaim the Good News of Jesus. His desire is to be glorified in me when I am faced with pressing issues and am found to still shine with the glory of the Risen Christ.

4. Jesus suffered first.

No servant is greater than his Master. If Jesus suffered, so too shall I suffer. God wants me to embrace this suffering because Jesus Christ embraced me while I was still His enemy.

Consider what Paul wrote:

…that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and may share His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, that by any means necessary I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:10-11

The resurrection from the dead and eternity with Jesus Christ should drive my attitude always just like it did for Paul.

Practically speaking, what does this look like for me?

I need to live in the light of eternity with Jesus Christ. Seeing every trial through this lens will allow me to respond rightly and honor God.

I need to trust that every relationship, trial, circumstance, and environment is designed by God to grow my affection for and obedience to Jesus Christ.

I need to grow my desire to show the world an attitude that speaks of peace with God so that they may ask me for a reason for the hope that is in me.

I need to always remember that when Jesus Christ suffered, He gave me an example that I might follow Him.

The bottom line…

Jesus Christ died for my sins. He longs to redeem my attitude that it might be the same as His, who did not revile in return but continued to entrust Himself to the One who judges justly. He has promised to do this, and He will do it. Why? Because He who promised is faithful.

For the glory of Jesus Christ.

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