When you feel yourself getting annoyed, when your irritation starts to rise, try asking yourself what exactly is bothering you. Why do you feel so put out? Force yourself to stop and consider what’s going on inside your head. Are you reacting out of selfishness or out of concern for others? It’s hard to argue with Paul Tripp’s contention that “in the heart of every sinner is a desire that life would be a resort.” When I trace the roots of my own irritability, I often discover it arises from disappointed expectations. I want things to go a certain way. I don’t want anyone rocking my comfortable boat.
James counseled believers to “be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19). Here’s how The Message paraphrases this passage: “Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear.” What a great visual! If we want to raise the level of peace in our lives, we need to heed this important directive. In Colossians 3:12, Paul says: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” When it comes to our speech, Tripp points out, “Gentleness doesn’t mean compromising the truth. Rather it means keeping the truth from being compromised by harshness and insensitivity.”