You are part of God’s delivery system of hope. You are a courier of his covenant. Yet you have your share of foibles and flaws. So “God is at work in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13 RSV). We are the bent timber; he’s the carpenter.
Rather than grumble about the people who irritate you, see them for what they are—God’s training tool. He is teaching you to trust him. At some point someone, somewhere is going to boil your blood. He or she may not be a true scoundrel, but even those closest to you will let an insult fly now and again. The temptation is to retaliate. Don’t give in. Don’t fight the scoundrel on scoundrel terms. Respond to the scoundrel with faith in God. Remember, God never gives up on you.
