Have you ever found yourself angry because someone wasn't doing things the way you thought they should? Have you ever been frustrated because another person's actions weren't lining up with the Word, and you just felt like you HAD to say something? I'm not going to tell you that you need to always keep your mouth closed, because I know for a fact that the Lord uses brothers and sisters in Christ to encourage and admonish me at times. However, it needs to be completely Spirit led, and never out of frustration, irritation, or selfishness.

Sometimes I get seriously miffed when my daughter behaves poorly, despite all of the "talks" and discipline her father and I have given her. Once in a while, my husband irritates me so badly that I occasionally yell and cross my arms angrily, and even bang things! They just weren't DOING THINGS RIGHT. What about MY NEEDS?! When was someone going to do something nice FOR ME for a change?!?!

More than a few months back, the Father showed me a couple of things, and He is faithful to remind me of them when I get to feeling tiffy:

James 1:20

..for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

My anger and irritation does not produce the righteousness of God. If I catch my daughter disobeying me, getting mad and throwing a fit does not produce the righteousness of God. It's amazing how simple that is! Obviously we need to discipline our children, but yelling isn't needed. It actually breeds confusion, hatred, and every other evil thing you can think of:

James 3:16

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

Proverbs 13:24

He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

We really have to watch trying to play Holy Spirit Jr. and telling everyone how they ought to be living. We need to be able to let things go, and let God handle it all. He knows His children. The next time you catch yourself thinking about someone else and their sin, remember that Yeshua said that we would be judged by whatever judgment we use. (Matthew 7:2) Also, for me, keeping in mind that there are probably a few things about myself that irritate others keeps me in check. Love is PATIENT! (1 Corinthians 13:4) :)

Now, on to reaping and sowing. If we sow irritation, malice, selfishness, we will reap those things. If we want to reap love, peace, joy, then we need to be sowing those things! Every time we put someone else's needs first, that is a seed sown. If you feel that your spouse isn't doing the things they should be for you, then start planting seeds. DO THINGS FOR THEM!! Even when you don't "feel" like it! Also know that when you are having thoughts that someone isn't meeting your needs, or any other self-pitying thought, that is not coming from the Lord, but the devil. If you turn around and do something for someone else, the enemy can't stand it. Remember that when you plant a seed, it takes some time to grow. Let patience have her perfect work. Trust God to meet all of your needs (Philippians 4:19), and He will.

By the way, if you don't know what to do for someone else, ask the Lord to show you ways to help others. The Holy Spirit can lead us and direct us in ways that we would have never thought of. Don't get to feeling defeated if you mess up and blow your top. God is faithful to forgive--repent and move on.

Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14