Patience to Not React

Scripture: “Besides,” continued David to Abishai and the rest of his servants, “my own son, my flesh and bone, is right now trying to kill me; compared to that this Benjaminite is small potatoes. Don’t bother with him; let him curse; he’s preaching God’s word to me. And who knows, maybe God will see the trouble I’m in today and exchange the curses for something good.” 2 Samuel 16:11-12

Observation: As David is fleeing from Absolom, a man named Shimei yells curses at David and throws rocks at him. David is actually traveling with a small army, plus his servants and wives ... there are likely 700-1,000 people with David, yet even when pressed he actually refuses to respond to or prevent Shimei from yelling and pelting him. His logic is that perhaps God wants David to be attacked and humiliated, so why prevent it.

Application: Recently, I have developed a very real, very severe problem with ... suffering people who trouble me and my family. This extends to those people who intentionally do things against me just because they 'can', and those who accidentally do stupid things that cause me to react. I have grown weary of the lack of respect and common courtesy others fail to show, and of course I then respond with anger and vitriol and even aggression.

And in context, I am nothing. There is no reason for anyone to show me respect and courtesy. I just some guy. David was the king with an army, and he didn't respond angrily toward a guy being rude to him ... I lash out when I get cut off in traffic.

So I wonder if the Lord is punishing me, or testing me, or teaching me, by intentionally sending these frustrations my way. If so, I am failing miserably. I am failing to maintain peace, patience, kindness, and self-control. I immediately take offense, and I am quick to anger. I pray for the power of the Holy Spirit, then do not lean into that same Spirit when I need his influence in my thoughts and actions.

I need the patience to not react to the insults and attacks of this world, those directed at me intentionally, those that simply come into my path and cause inconvenience, and those that target the Lord whom I love. If the Lord himself is teaching me through these insults and attacks, I should trust he is also giving me access to the Holy Spirit to succeed.

Prayer: Lord, every day I pray for your spirit. May I also find the personal fortitude to trust in your spirit. I see so many actions direct toward me, either personally or generally, and I will take those as an opportunity to improve and receive from you. Amen.