last week i was jolted from my bed by a call from an exasperated client who was somewhat rude to me (for no fault of mine). my words to him belied my true feelings -- i was sugary-sweet, accommodating, even pleasant, in spite of his tone and words.
but in my mind, i was using him as a punching bag, and thinking things that aren't suitable for this forum (or a child of God). because of the way my day started, i continued on that path, using it as a launching point to delve headfirst into cynicism and snark.
as i ruminated over the unpleasant conversation i'd just had, i was hit with a wave of conviction about my self-pity and nasty attitude towards him.
i also saw how easily i could tolerate a nasty, judgmental attitude in myself, since he crossed my "comfort barrier" -- by calling me super early, ruining my morning routine and getting cranky and loud on me. I justified my attitude.
i was then reminded of ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). AMP
the greek word for "malice" in that passage is: kakia, which Strong's defines as:
From kakia/kakos; badness, i.e. (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble -- evil, malice(-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness.
what spirit of kakos do you hold in your heart right now?
how have you dealt with these issues in the past?
how do you guard against developing a spirit of kakos in your life, especially when others treat you badly?
do you have a "trigger" that when people cross it, you can more slip into (or justify) your bad attitude?
but in my mind, i was using him as a punching bag, and thinking things that aren't suitable for this forum (or a child of God). because of the way my day started, i continued on that path, using it as a launching point to delve headfirst into cynicism and snark.
as i ruminated over the unpleasant conversation i'd just had, i was hit with a wave of conviction about my self-pity and nasty attitude towards him.
i also saw how easily i could tolerate a nasty, judgmental attitude in myself, since he crossed my "comfort barrier" -- by calling me super early, ruining my morning routine and getting cranky and loud on me. I justified my attitude.
i was then reminded of ephesians 4:31
Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind). AMP
the greek word for "malice" in that passage is: kakia, which Strong's defines as:
From kakia/kakos; badness, i.e. (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble -- evil, malice(-iousness), naughtiness, wickedness.
what spirit of kakos do you hold in your heart right now?
how have you dealt with these issues in the past?
how do you guard against developing a spirit of kakos in your life, especially when others treat you badly?
do you have a "trigger" that when people cross it, you can more slip into (or justify) your bad attitude?
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