The Scriptures and the testimonies of the leaders of the early church affirm certain fundamentals of the believers’ character formation. Starting with the declaration of the Lord Jesus in Matthew 24:8-13 we see a progression of assured trials that we must be prepared to face for the purpose of our spiritual transformation.

To pick a few:

• Paul summarised his testimony in 2 Corinthians 11:22-28
• James alluded to the same in James 1:12
• Peter followed the same pattern in 1 Peter 3:8-17

The questions arising are:

1. Whether as individuals we are prepared for these trials?
2. Can we handle taking them as normal to our journey of faith and walk with the Lord? And if we are,
3. What response do they generate in us by way of conduct and speech?

Israel’s journey to the Promised Land is proof that this is God’s peculiar way of proving the genuineness our confession of faith and dependence on Him (see Psalm 106:6-end noting verses 6 and 7).

How do we respond to these things? By complaints, murmuring or frustration or expression of irritability and anger? This spectrum of responses are realities we experience and show, and it ought not to be so! These outbursts tell the story of our impact for Christ before those who watch our lifestyle in Christ. The lamentations of Jeremiah in Lamentations 3:26-33 reveal:

So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord. And it is good for people to submit at an early age to the yoke of his discipline: Let them sit alone in silence beneath the Lord’s demands. Let them lie face down in the dust, for there may be hope at last. Let them turn the other cheek to those who strike them and accept the insults of their enemies. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love. For he does not enjoy hurting people or causing them sorrow. Lamentations 3:26-33 NLT

James 1:19 provides the answer to creating an oasis for you, as a leader faced with the responsibility for handling the many challenges that you naturally face with the flock under your care. The gravity of your response determines your continuance or withdrawal from service. Major men of God were withdrawn from service, such as Moses (Numbers 20:1-12, note verse 12) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18), they were both withdrawn, retired from service without finishing their assignments.

There is no magic trick when it comes to dealing with irritability and provocation in order to positively influence and impact others.

“The Bible gives you the formula, and here it is:

1) Try to listen carefully. The truth is that people don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. They tend to filter what they hear through their own life experiences, hang-ups, and the particular problem that’s on their mind at that moment. So, if you want people to listen when you speak, listen carefully to them.

2) Don’t say too much. If you tend to talk too much, or too fast, here are three tips to slow yourself down:

1. Stop. Just stop talking. Inhale. Count to ten. Excuse yourself and go to the bathroom.
2. Practice not interrupting. Allow the other person to finish what he or she is saying.
3. Ask yourself why you’re talking so much. Is it insecurity? Or anxiety? Or a need to control? Or a desire to impress? The reason many of us try to convince, impress, or control others is because we have a hard time trusting God to work things out. Just deliver the message and trust God to do the rest.

3) Keep your anger in check.
If you implement the first two principles, you will tend to do fine on number three. It will just happen. The good news is, starting today you can learn to do all three things. And if you practice them consistently year after year, when you get to the end of your life, looking back, you will be glad you took God’s Word and His wisdom seriously.”—Taken from Word for Today

Oh man of God, pray for renewed sustaining grace to respond correctly for impact because the pressure of trails will not relent until we behold Him who will appear shortly. Selah.


Pastor Afolabi Oladele