The Night Shift

                Recently I read something that said the majority of men pretend to be asleep to avoid having to get up to take care of their children. When I told my husband about this, I was surprised to hear him admit to having done this several times. This surprised me because he is a very supportive man who would do anything for me or our son. I told him that I would rather him keep sleeping than get up at night because he has to get up for early work every day and I can drink as much coffee as I need to throughout the day to stay awake. Ever since then the thought of him being awake while I am with our crying son has weighed on my thoughts. I often wonder if he can hear how upset we both are or if he is really asleep. If he does not wake up to help out, there is no real way for me to know.

                The end of James 1 tells us to rid ourselves of evil. James says to be “quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” He says anger never accomplishes God’s will. Then he tells us to not just hear the Word, but to apply the Word of God to our lives. He describes hearing the Word of God as revealing to us who we are in God’s eyes. If you walk away and immediately forget who you are in Christ, then you will act like your old self. On the other hand, if you remember who Christ has made you to be, you will live out the Word He has given us. After this James seems to give us an application of this by telling us to control our tongue.

                Am I one that reads the Word and immediately forgets who I am in Christ? How will anyone see Christ in me if I simply hear and do not act on the Word of God? Am I in control of my tongue and my anger, or do I react quickly to things that frustrate me?

                God, please help me to practice controlling my tongue and my anger. Help me to live according to the purpose You have for me. Help me not to forget who You have made me to be, but instead help me to listen and follow Your direction. Amen.