“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 (NIV)

Have you ever lived or worked with someone around whom you had to tiptoe—literally and figuratively? You had to watch every word to be sure you didn’t set them off? There was no grace for a slip up. That’s a miserable existence. I know at times I have been guilty of “wearing my feelings on my sleeve,” so even though my reaction might have been sulking rather than anger, anger usually eventually resulted. I’m not proud of that, and I believe I have matured so that I’m not so sensitive.

Interactions between human beings are so complex. They are based on our histories, our perceptions, our biases and prejudices. We learn to be intuitive and to try to understand each other based on all sorts of cues, which is admirable. But many times we also read into these interactions messages that were never intended, especially when we have been building up that history, or record, of times that we were hurt or wronged.

We should not provoke others to anger, and we should not be easily provoked. We should seek to really understand and we should assume best intentions. After all, isn’t that how we want to be treated? The Golden Rule is really about how we treat each other in love.

“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV)

In Christ,

Judy