In the Sunday school class I teach, we are studying Joyce Meyer’s book “Me and My Big Mouth.”
Ouch.
For the last three months, every time I even think of opening that book, I groan, “I do NOT want to study this, Lord. It hurts. I sin the most with my mouth than any other area. Every time I read this book, I’m convicted. I will be so glad when we are finished, and can go on to something else.”
After whining this for the hundredth time, I heard the unmistakable voice of my Shepherd say, “Oh really? So, you’d rather be stuck in your besetting sins of the mouth than to grapple with the pain of growing up?”
“Well, no, Lord. I want to grow up. I just don’t want to go through the process of growing. I want to BE MATURE.”
If the Lord were not such a gentleman, I think He would have fallen off His throne laughing. Instead, His silence got my attention better than His laughter or a lecture could have.
I need to grow up. That takes time. And it’s painful. But I’d rather suffer the process of taming my tongue than to remain stuck in sinful patterns.
Have you found yourself in this predicament—wanting to be mature without having to experience any growing pains? How has the Lord shown you His grace to overcome besetting sins?
