A few days ago I ran to the local grocery store to get some things for dinner. I had my dog with me because we had just walked a nature trail, so I had to park in the shade. The only available spot was a narrow one and I had to contend with some inconsiderate drivers flying into the parking lot and ignoring my back-up lights.
I lost my temper.....and people heard me, I received a dirty look from one of the "idiots" (as I called them in my rant text to my son) gave me a dirty look, and one of my witnesses looked entertained. I was mad at myself and trying to understand why that just set me off in such a wild way. I was calm beforehand!
Anyhow, by the time I left the store (after running repeatedly into the one who gave me a dirty look), I was still very upset but calm enough to pray a little. But, as I drove away I let out a few more words of upset including, "Why is it that when you try to do something good you still get dumped on?!"
I just wanted to keep my dog safe. I had looked out for traffic ahead of time. These people just fly in and out of the parking lot like crazed, entitled lunatics and ignore people trying to park or exit. It just really bothered me.
Then, today, I started reading Hebrews 11 and I read vs 4 "By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice exceeding that of Cain, by which he obtained a testimony that he was just, God giving testimony to his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh."
Abel was just doing something good and he was killed for it!
Here I was complaining about a young woman who got in my way.
But, look at what the verse says about it. He obtained a testimony that still speaks to us thousands of years beyond the grave!!
So, next time something bad happens when I'm trying to do something good, I am going to do my best to not lose my temper, but remember this verse and think about how God can use this or why God allowed this.
Sometimes I wonder if it's simply a snappy way to get our attention to pray for that person. Think of all the people in the world who don't have anyone praying for them!