Ephesians 4:32 – And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. (HCSB)

Lord, I am drinking coffee with a vengeance this morning, I am doing more gulping than sipping, and the cup is hitting the table with a little more force than normal.  Truth be told, hitting with more force than necessary, but I’m a lot mad and a little hurt.  I keep asking this person to do something, but it never gets done.  Every time I ask about it, apologies flow and promises are made for future behavior, but time usually reveals that the apologies are worthless and the promises are hollow. Next time I ask it will be the same cycle again.  I feel as if I’m on one of those spinning amusement part rides where you go round and round just to end up where you were when you got on.  Lord, You know I can’t just throw up my hands and walk away.  My first reaction is to let this person know that I’m angry, but then I hear Your voice pointing me to scripture.  The Bible tells me over and over to refrain from anger. Psalms says to avoid anger because it leads to evil.   Proverbs tells me that being angry makes me do foolish things and that getting angry over things like this doesn’t even make sense.  James says to be slow to speak in anger because it doesn’t show Your righteousness.  So what can I do to change this person?  I think Thomas A’Kempis summed up this situation perfectly when he said “Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be”.  Okay, Lord, I know that sometimes You speak through other people when You speak to us, and that is speaking to me.  How many times have I asked You for forgiveness but go back and do the same things all over again?  How many promises have I made to You?  How many times have I apologized?  Thank You, Lord, that You forgive me and love me even when I don’t follow through on my promises.  Thank You, Lord, that You never throw up Your hands and walk away.   Lord, help me to follow Your direction and show Your love.