When It Isn't Easy to Please

​Have you ever run across someone who gets under your skin?  In other words, whether it is their tone, comments, or behavior, something about them is irritating, and that irascibility is continuous and annoying.  I met such a person playing pickleball.  In this case, an older man seems to feel that he needs to tutor everyone else on the court even though his skills are inferior.  He makes snarky comments, and I don’t like it. It gets to the point where when he signs up to play, others stay away because they don’t enjoy playing with him.  Unfortunately, he does not seem to take hints or suggestions. He is fixed in his mannerisms and perhaps does not care what others think. So, I have to admit I was not thrilled when I read Romans 15:1,2 this morning.

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Meditation
Romans 15:1,2—Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves. Each one of us must please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.
 
I let a poor attitude get the better of me.  I’m at fault.  Instead of letting my spirit be fouled up, I must remember who I represent—Jesus.  Perhaps this man lives in a pain of which I am unaware.  There is a good chance he has no friends.  Instead of gritting my teeth, I should be encouraging him. What might happen if I exercised kindness and humbly thanked him for sharing when he pointed out my errors?  How would he react to being built up instead of avoided, criticized, or “put in his place.”  There’s a good chance I will find out this afternoon.  He’s on the schedule to play. 
           
Lord, help me to know how to die to myself.  It’s not easy.  Your obligations are tough to apply—yet You are always right.  Your way is best.  Thanks for putting up with me.  Your love is amazing, and I want to live in that love instead of trying to please myself.  Amen.
 
Inspiration
“You cannot tailor-make the situations in life, but you can tailor-make the attitudes to fit those situations.”—Zig Ziglar
 
©2023 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you want to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)