We were moving and I was with child. The doctor called with frightening words, something looked wrong with the pregnancy. Then my husband phoned with the news he wouldn’t make it home from his business trip that night as expected. At that moment, my response wasn’t kind or gracious or loving.
It’s hard to be kind when angry.
Or hurt.
Or stressed.
Or frazzeled.
At least for me.
Yet, how did Jesus operate when in wretched physical pain and exhausting emotional anguish? We see in the gospels that even on the cross, He was kind. He acted from a place of love.
He could have claimed pain, exhaustion, or emotional anguish as He bore the weight of the world.
He could have told people to “shut up” and then made them listen.
But He didn’t.
He was kind.
Maybe you, like me, feel a bit convicted. That’s a great place to start. Carry the conviction and remorse to Him. He forgives. His grace is sufficient. And, it’s never too early or too late to ask forgiveness.
I had to ask for forgiveness, and it was freely granted. Funny how it still stands out in my memory over a decade later.
No matter what you’ve said, or done, God promises to forgive when asked by someone with a sincere heart.
Let’s do that now.
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for Your example. No amount of physical pain or emotional exhaustion or even spiritual warfare can claim me the right to be unkind. Lord, when I struggle, convict me. Thank you for supplying my needs. Please forgive my mistakes and convict me to make restitution. Thank You that Your grace is indeed sufficient. In Jesus’ name, Amen.