Irritated vs. Concerned
Last week I learned something valuable from one of my pastors. We were having a discussion and I expressed to him that I was irritated by a certain behavior that I saw displayed in someone. He pointed out that irritation is a dangerous place to be. He helped me to realize that there is a big difference between irritation and concern. He helped me to see clearly that when you have irritation toward another, it can quickly lead to wrong feelings toward that person and cause malice, bitterness and an unloving spirit to take root in your heart. After our talk I began to see things differently. The way I like to look at it is that my heart is like a garden and I choose what grows there. When I am irritated with someone instead of concerned, this garden becomes a breeding ground for bad seed to grow in which produces rotten things. When you are careful to make sure that you are concerned and not irritated about something or with someone, things will go much better for you. You will be able to stay right in your heart toward them and have a clear conscience. What a great feeling that is! There are things in life that are going to happen. Some that pleases us and some that doesn’t. We all behave and think differently and some of us are further ahead on our journey than others. We must allow the many situations that life brings to be opportunities for us to show mercy and not judgment. “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13 (NASB)
