My children drove me crazy this morning. For the last hour we were together, I was harsh and short with them. I repeatedly raised my voice at little provocation.
Galatians 5:22 reminds me, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”
I had none of that this morning. Why? I’ve learned a lot about myself recently through the book “Strength Finders” by Tom Rath. By taking the online test associated with the book, I learned that Positivity is my greatest strength. I love that; thank you Jesus! I enjoy using my positivity to uplift and encourage. I enjoy using it to infuse situations with energy and excitement. But like every strength, it has a down-side. There is the sinful distortion of every strength into an associated weakness. What do I believe my sinful bent is?
Rath says this to people with the Positivity strength, “Avoid negative people. They will bring you down.” And here is what he suggest for those that work or live with positive people, “Cynics quickly sap this person’s energy. Don’t expect him to enjoy cheering up negative people. He will do better when asked to energize basically positive people who are simply in need of a spark.”
Rath hit the nail on the head. I had never thought about it much, but I always hated being around whiny people. Complaining is my pet peeve. I show little (if any) sympathy for people that throw pity parties.
Why did my children annoy me so much this morning? Well, they woke up extra early and were very whiny (as 1 and 3 year olds often are). It took very little before my self-preserving sin started jumping all over them. Instead of choosing to call upon the Lord for strength, I took aim to shoot down all the negativity around me. I showed no regard for my children’s best interest, but only in preserving my joy and peace.
Heavenly Father, have mercy on me. Thank you for your good gifts that I do not deserve. Please forgive me for lashing out at others. Help me die to myself and love others as you have modeled for me. Fill me with your Spirit and restore to me the joy of my salvation. In Jesus name, amen.