Love Is Not Easily Angered (2)
Scripture Reading — 1 Cor. 13:5c; Luke 10:38-42
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.”
For many of us our daily living is taken up with many commitments, pressures, and demands on our time. In some ways this is good. Having things to do often gives predictability, structure, and meaning to our day.
But we can become a prisoner of the demands on our time. We can develop within our inner being an unhealthy sense of haste and irritability. Then we are easily angered when people and circumstances are not ordered according to our expectations. One of the most difficult lessons for us to learn is how to maintain a healthy, dynamic balance between “being with Jesus” and “serving Jesus.”
This was the lesson Martha needed to learn. Inwardly worried about many things, she was, therefore, outwardly upset about many things; she was easily angered. Given her anxious spiritual condition, Jesus said to her, “only one thing is needed.” She needed to take time out to listen to Jesus.
We ought to take time daily to spend time in prayer and meditation on God’s Word. We need to take time regularly for small-group Bible study. We need to take time at least once a week for gathering with God’s people for worship. During these times Jesus slowly but surely relieves us of our anxiety and our tendency to be easily angered. Patiently, he fills us with his wisdom, peace, and love.
Heavenly Father, by your Spirit fill me with your wisdom to set priorities, your peace to calm my irritable spirit, and your love to treat others with gentleness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
About the author — Richard E. Williams
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