No Grumpies

Although I did not see the 1993 movie, the title was intriguing: Grumpy Old Men.  Most of us joke and laugh about the bad-tempered, difficult, and cantankerous nature often associated with senior adults.  It's actually the reality of it that makes it so amusing!  If you aren't there yet, just you wait!

 

King Solomon wrote, "Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble." (Proverbs 21:23).  Now, ain't that the truth!  Sometimes it's not just words though; it can be our faces that convey our grumpies.  James warns us that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (1:20).  Shedding an irritable spirit isn't so easy so how is it possible?  There is a simply formula:  HE>I …  "He must increase, but I must decrease." (John 3:30).  Simply but not easy yet more-of-Him and less-of-me improves everything!  As God's "chosen ones, holy and beloved," we are to surrender this sinful nature and put-on His Nature -- "compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience." (Colossians 3:12). Hearts full of these Spiritual Fruits keep us out of trouble!  Neighbors of ours have a sign on their porch that reads "Sometimes I wake up grumpy and sometimes I let him sleep."  In the Christian's life, there's no place for a bad temperament - only a bubbling-over of a Godly heart, one fixed on Jesus.  The next time Grumpy threatens, in the power of Jesus Christ ... let him sleep!