"Grumpy"

When I'm tired or feeling stressed out, every once in a while [Abby will laugh at that last phrase], I can be a little grumpy. Sadly, I tend to express my grumpy attitude by speaking in a harsh tone to Abby or the children.

Within the last few months, Abby and I have started helping Christian work on improving his attitude through focusing on the characteristics of love found in 1 Corinthians 13 (this was Abby's idea). So, for example, when Christian demands things be done his own way, Abby or I say to him, "Love does not insist on its own way; you are not being loving; you need to have a better, more loving attitude," etc.

In thinking about 1 Corinthians 13:5, I've recently realized that what I've been excusing in myself as "grumpiness" is biblically defined as "irritability," which is contrary to love and is, therefore, a sin. By God's grace, I am seeking to put off this irritable attitude and to replace it with godly love toward others.

I encourage anyone who may be reading this post to take a moment to look at 1 Corinthians 13 and to consider ways in which you too may need God's forgiveness and help in reflecting His love.