Today Larry shares two tips to help us with hastiness. Here’s Larry.
Hastiness: Acting with excessive speed or insufficient consideration.”
We’ve all tasted the bitter regret that can follow reacting too hastily. Results range from inconsequential to funny to lasting remorse. The Lord cautions against hasty responses. Acting in haste can produce shame and distress (Pro. 25:8, 29:20; Eccles. 5:2; Jas. 1:19-20). Here are two tips to help you control unhealthy hastiness.
Consider the Motivation
Repeated hastiness often comes from a short circuit in our faith. We jump to control a situation or acquiesce to pressure based on how we feel in the moment.
A young mother said she’s driven to make others happy and wants them to be pleased with her. This causes her to be overly accommodating and lets others take advantage of her. The impulse to please overrides the gentle prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Repeated hastiness often comes from a short circuit in our faith. #PersonalGrowth, #hope Click To TweetPractice Pausing
When I feel pressured or uncertain about what to do, I need to pause (Pro. 25:28). Wisdom provides a good life, and wisdom comes from fearing the Lord and understanding the situation. Time spent in contemplation and prayer helps me understand what’s going on (Pro. 2:2-15; Neh. 2:4).
In an uncomfortable disagreement, I impulsively try to prove I am right or quickly apologize to avert an argument. However, true peace usually comes only when I pause to fully listen and acknowledge I need time to think about what’s happened.
If we can help you with hasty tendencies or other relationship challenges, we are here for you.
Blessings,
Update
Pray for:
- A middle schooler from a broken family who doesn’t believe in God.
- A teenager to know he has been created wonderfully.
- A young couple to rebuild their friendship with each other and God.
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I really appreciate your thoughts here. We live on SCREECH, and then wonder why relationships suffer…?
Well said, Michele.
Yes, I often act in Hastings, especially with my teenagers. When I slow down and really focus on them it helps our relationship. What a great reminder.
Sarah, I can relate. We tend to overlook this principle with our families
We grow too soon old and too late smart. I’ve often acted in haste and lived to regret it. Great message!
Nancy, great insight. So true.
So much wisdom here!! I always felt I had to respond immediately to any situation when I was younger and I learned (sometimes the hard way) that taking a step back, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to me and listening makes all the difference. Very few decisions must be made immediately. Thank you, Larry.
Ann, I’ve done the same. Thank you for sharing what you’ve learned.
What great thoughts on hastiness! I’d never really considered how acting hastily short-circuits my faith. I guess understanding the motive behind our hasty responses can be helpful in moving forward more intentionally.
Thank you, Jeanne. I enjoyed Larry’s perspective too.
Thank you for your wise reminder. Haste is acting in human timing. Patience is God’s timing.
Annie, love that, ” Haste is acting in human timing. Patience is God’s timing.”
AMEN Mr. Larry! It’s when I let the busyness of this world interfere with my life in Christ that I short-circuit my faith. I find myself getting upset at myself, sort-fused, and as my wife refers to me, “Mr. Grumpy Pants.” I pray folks (including myself) see less of that with each passing year, but my awareness of where it comes from is the first step in changing that behavior. When I find myself getting “torqued up” about things, that’s my signal that I need to go spend some time resting in God.
J.D., time pressures sure can work havoc on a soul and press in on the time we try to be still. Thankful Jesus helps us!
What a great reminder! I forget often that patience must be practiced “in the moment.” I find that I struggle with being hasty with my children, and need to pray more for a quiet heart to listen and respond appropriately to them.
Jenni, I think practicing calm and rest with those closest to us is the hardest. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Yep. Hasty and I are good friends. Impatience wants to rule my life—maybe that’s why God prompted me to choose WAIT for my one word this year!