Me First!

So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19 (NKJV)


Several years ago, I agreed take my daughter and her friends to the lake to go camping to celebrate her tenth birthday. Boating, campfires, bike riding, basketball and whatever fun we could muster was the plan.It did not take long to see I would be tested. As we headed down the road the van began to rock with four rambunctious girls.The attitude I remember most during our activities those two days was 'me first!' Early the second day I had had enough and yelled to my husband over the roar of the boat," Get me off! We are going home!"

As I was studying in James, I came to James 1:19 (NKJV).The heading in my Bible says "Qualities needed in Trials."It reads " So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."I do not run into many people who gracefully and contemplatively respond like this in trials.Usually, like me, they pout, complain, become angry, and wonder why this is happening to them. They make excuses, groan about their troubles, prolong the struggle, and play the blame game.

Suddenly that outing came into my mind.The kids had been very selfish in their needs. This passage in James, when applied to trials and our response, really demands a 'me first' attitude.Immediately I must recognize that God is at work in my life and respond with an attitude of 'me first.' Janet, be swift to hear!Janet, be slow to speak and slow to wrath! Swift to hear comes by hearing the Word, so first I have to read the Word.It becomes planted in my heart as I obey. The benefits of being slow to speak are having the opportunity to listen and learn and it offers me something in common with those who are wiser. It is also the best policy, if I have nothing to say. Slow to wrath mirrors God's example of how He treats me.Being angry is the opposite of the patience God desires to produce in my life as I mature through trials. Our desire as children of God should be to reflect the life of Christ as we go through each day and each circumstance. A prepared heart is the outcome of following the instructions we read in James.

I did not know the trials I would face on that camping trip, just as I do not know the trials God has for me.'Me first' has a new and good meaning for me, and I can chuckle as I remember how I learned the quality needed in trials.

Lord, as I face trials in my life, help me to turn away from blame and self-pity. I want to be swift to hear from You, slow to speak and slow to wrath.

Janet Stutzman