How can I avoid the annoyances
which continually harass me?
(J.R. Miller, "Help for the Day")
The true victory is not found
in escaping or evading trials--
but in rightly meeting and enduring them.
The questions should not be,
"How can I get out of these trials?
How can I get into a place where there
shall be no irritations, nothing to try my
temper, or put my patience to the test?
How can I avoid the annoyances
which continually harass me?"
There is nothing noble in such living.
The soldier who flees when he smells
the battle is no hero; he is a coward.
The questions should rather be:
"How can I pass through these
trying experiences--
and not fail as a Christian?
How can I endure these struggles--
and not suffer defeat? How can I live
amid these provocations, these
reproaches and testings of my temper--
and yet live sweetly, not speaking harshly,
bearing injuries meekly, returning gentle
answers to insulting words?"
holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves
with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Bear with each
other and forgive whatever grievances you
may have against one another. Forgive as
the LORD forgave you. And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all
together in perfect unity." Colossians 3:12-14
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