Lent day 7

"Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let every person be 

quick to hear,

slow to speak, 

slow to anger." James 1:19

Have you ever heard one out of three isn't bad?  It might be true for some things, like hitting  a baseball or eating meals, but i don't think it applies to the verse above.  Consider if we only do one of the three....

BE QUICK TO HEAR and then quick to speak and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then SLOW TO SPEAK and quick to anger.

Be slow to hear, and then quick to speak and SLOW TO ANGER.

All the above scenarios are flawed with shortcomings. Some would even say God's Word in James 1:19 is flawed as well.  I've committed all four examples and been criticized for all four.  But if i'm going to err, i pray i aligned myself with the Word of God.  He never lies nor does His Word. He desires the best for us as we stride to glorify Him in all we say and do.

Father, when i am perplexed on how to speak and act in fear of disappointing or hurting others, i pray for the obedience and strength to look to You first. 

we are loved and chosen by God,

may we live, love, do and speak as if we believe it,

veneal