Pulling the Trigger

I stared at the computer screen trying to figure out why the printer would not register my request but my efforts proved fruitless. I knew I had followed the steps to the best of my knowledge but, for some reason or another, my apparent knowledge was not enough. Trying to fix the problem myself was plan A. Plan B was attempting to gain the attentions of my husband in hopes he would know the solution to my dilemma. I was greeted with a grunt and clear signal that my attentions were not favourable after all.

What was supposed to be an easy task was proving itself to be irritating and time consuming. As life would have it, as my temper began to flicker by the strike of this particular match, my husbands temper began to flicker as well. His attention was required in several different directions and, to be honest, all were more important than the forms I needed to print. What began as an innocent inquiry soon escalated into a He versus She don’t-yell-at-me-no-YOU-don’t yell-at-me kind of argument. By the grace of God we both quickly recognized the argument for what it was and cooler heads prevailed before either one of us pulled the trigger.

Pulling the trigger. The moment when you decide to take action with no certainty of the outcome, making a decision that may very well result in something detrimental to yourself or to another. The moment when you know there is no turning back, no changing of the heart and mind. The moment when the Holy Spirit is now silent because you stopped listening anyhow. We have all been in that moment where we are left standing with a smoking gun and a foot deeper into our pit by the sheer impact of our ill chosen actions.

2 Corinthians 12:9, But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Oh, the damage that can be done when we react and become more focused on filling our immediate emotional needs than having concern for the emotions of another. This reaction is called gracelessness.

Grace in itself is an unmerited blessing given to us for our sanctification, and a virtue coming from God. It is a gift given to us through Jesus. Gracelessness is having or exhibiting no sense of propriety or decency, and offering clumsy or inferior treatment towards others. There is great contrast between the two and no fine line between them exists.

When we are faced with a moment of heat, tempted to pull the trigger allowing our emotions to explode into a symphony of chaos, let us remember that offering gracelessness to someone is a reaction. Offering grace to someone is a response. And it is the response we must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us through. The offering of grace is our souls submission before the throne of God, and a tangible example to others of our transformation by the shed blood of Jesus. The more we choose to respond rather than react, the more emotionally healthy we become.

Father, when the temptation is great, and our defences are on the rise, may we remember how it feels to be on the receiving end of every situation. And may we never forget that your grace is sufficient for all. In Jesus name, Amen.

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