You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry. James 1:19
It’s Monday morning. After a late night, a 4:30 a.m. “Wake up mom even though I have been sleeping through the night for 3 weeks” cry from my 7-month old baby girl, “sleeping” on the chair with her waking up multiple times, and an early morning feeding, I was praying for a good day despite my rough night (…although snuggling my baby girl was so wonderful). I tumbled out of bed to start my 15-minute Prayer Punch before my other five kids woke up. Everything was going well, my prayer time was powerful, and then it happened…the tickle.
I was reading my devotion and Scripture and…well…that tugging, pulling, weird feeling started happening in my heart. You know the kind where you know you need to do something but you are not doing it? The feeling when you know the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart about something? Ever have that feeling? I call it the “Holy Spirit Tickle.” The Lord put it on my heart today to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. This may come easily for some, but for me this is CRAZY hard.
As I reflected on this scripture, I began to see how I can be so busy being a mom that I can miss the opportunities to embrace the JOYS of being a mom. I am constantly moving on to the next task, the next school subject, the next meal, the next chore, the next sport’s practice, the next, next, next….and in all the busyness I can miss the opportunities to stop and and be quick to “listen” to the ones around me. Can I stop and be quick to listen?
In many of my conversations, I catch myself being quick to speak. Sometimes, people just need someone to listen, nothing more. Can I be slow to speak?
With never ending to do lists, school schedules and life, my busyness can also cause me to be quick to get irritated when tasks are left undone, or something doesn’t turn out as planned, or I fall behind schedule. Can I be slow to get angry?
“I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” I said as I walked out my bedroom door and faced the mission field ahead of me. My home, the mission field God has placed before me, is where I live for Him daily. How can I glorify you Lord?
On my mission field today, I was quick to listen when my 7-year old son asked me to make eggs for breakfast. I wanted to do something fast and easy and move on with the school day, but I stopped and listened. It was a memory he will keep for a long time because I taught him how to use a knife for the first time which was “AWESOME” in his book. We made some delicious eggs together and he is still talking about it.
On the mission field today, I was slow to speak when I was faced with comments multiple times that would have otherwise stirred up anger and triggered a long-winded response from me. I made every effort to keep it simple and positive.
On the mission field today, I was slow to get irritated when it was 2:30 p.m. and we were still finishing lunch and school while my baby girl was crying for mommy’s attention. I made every effort to be JOYFull for what we DID accomplish!
James 1:19 is a powerful verse that can be life changing! I am taking on the challenge and praying this verse over my life for the next 30 days. This is, and will be very hard for me, but I won’t give up. If I fail, I will get back up and try again. I may not be able to take advantage of EVERY opportunity, but I will be grateful for the ones I am able to enJOY. The key for me is glorifying God in how I listen, speak, and respond. While the journey may be challenging, I am tickled happy to see what God will do with me. I will keep you updated on how things are coming along every week for the next four weeks.
I don’t know what challenges you may be facing, but there is so much joy to be uncovered in the midst of your busy, “nothing is going right,” “I can’t do this anymore” kind of life. Allow God to tickle your heart and change your life! Won’t you join me on my mission?
Let’s Talk
Do you notice that you are too busy to be “quick to listen” to those around you whether it is your spouse, children, coworkers, family members, or friends? What are some ways you can be “slow to speak” especially when responding to a comment that may stir up anger? How can you be “slow to anger” when you are overwhelmed or irritated and something happens that breaks the camels back?
joyfullinspirations.com 
Hello Joyfull Mom,
You may recall me enquiring about this challenge, as you referred to it in another post and I didn’t know what you meant. Well, I have only just got around to checking out these posts (this blogging life can also be time-consuming CRAZY!”.
Anyway – what a wonderful challenge! I am looking forward to reading the other posts which will no doubt update me on how it progressed.
Best wishes
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Hi Carol, thank you so much for following up with me on this challenge. I understand the craziness of this blogging life for sure. I have to be intentional about making it a “hobby” versus running my life…CRAZY for sure! Good for you for taking a break from it. It is always nice to get refreshed and start again. I appreciate your support and encouragement so much. Blessings to you. Tisha
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Beautifully said. I’ve been practicing this a lot today. I need to set an example for the littles in this house.
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Thank you so much. I understand the importance of living by example. It is crazy hard but so worth it.Blessings.
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James 1.19 must have been written for me and I am not heeding it !!!! Great inspiration … thanks.
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I totally feel you on that! Taking it on has been life changing. Thank you for the encouragement. Blessings.
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Oh how I love this! CS Lewis once said the most important work is being a mother. I love the idea of slowing down and finding how to make it the most important moment. I really needed this thanks!!
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Wonderful! So glad this touched you. God is faithful. I am 6 days into the 30 day challenge and I can see why the Lord put this on my heart. It is so hard, but the blessings are so worth it! enJOY being a mom. Blessings to you and your family.
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Encouraging words for us all, no matter our mission fields. ❤️ Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you! Indeed, we all have our mission fields that God calls us to. It is such a blessing to be doing His work here. Thank you for stopping by. Blessings.
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I felt “The tickle” about six months ago. I’ve been agnostic for most of my adult life and finally felt as if I was coming back to God. I started reading daily meditations. I started praying again. And then…all hell broke lose. I lost my job due to missing work because of my bipolar disorder. Then I had to pull my kids out of school and start homeschool because of bullying issues that were so bad another child brought a knife to school to actually kill my 7 year old son. And now the kicker. My husband was just diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and had brain surgery this past Monday. Am I being tested? I can’t tell you how much I push during the day to not get mad or jump to conclusions. I miss talking to my kids and I know I’ve been distant, but how can I listen to them when I feel as if no one can even hear me? I’m not looking for sympathy. I’m simply saying that I understand your post and it has made me realize that I’m not doing what I need to for my children. I’m just going through the motions. Thank you for opening my eyes again.
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Thank you for sharing your heart. I am being honest when I say I shed a tear for you. My heart is with you in your trials. You are a mom who sincerely cares for your family. It is such a blessing to feel the presence of God in your life. The enemy just lost, so now you have to kick it up a notch. Pray harder, love more, press into God. He hears you. He is listening. “Cast all your cares and worries on Him because He loves YOU” 1 Peter 5:7. God is faithful even through the storms. It may seem like you are alone but you are not. Praise Him. Your circumstances are pretty tough but God has you in His hands. Take comfort in that. Tests make you stronger and you will be blessed. Don’t give up! I pray for healing for your husband, protection over your children, and for you–Mama–may God rekindle conversations with your children, may you enjoy them, and may our Lord touch your heart and give you strength through this rough journey. Keep me posted on things. I will keep you in prayer…Blessings.
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Good point indeed. I do need to be slow to anger and slow to listen.
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Thank you. Be blessed!
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James is one of my favorite books of the Bible! Thank you for these words–I will practice on being slow to speak and anger as well. Have a blessed day.
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It is one of my favorite books too! It has so many practical ways to become more Christ-like. Keeping this verse close in my heart has made me more aware of what I am doing. Be blessed as you practice on being slow to speak and anger! Blessings.
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