Short tempered.
We have just discovered that our precious little angel of 6 months has a little temper on him. To be honest it's not surprising as my husband turned to me and said do you think a temper can be inherited? Food for thought really.
Being short tempered, hot headed, unforgiving or quick to anger are not character traits that are positively thought of. However there are many people who carry these traits and the disciples are not exclusive of this.
James and John were known as the sons of thunder (Mark 3:17)
Peter was notorious for his quick temper and even caused Jesus to tell him get the behind me Satan (Matthew 16)
Paul the apostle was no exception of this. This passage is one example of Paul's short nature with people. We aren't told all the details but we do know that while Paul preached forgiveness and love he often found it difficult to execute it. John Mark had made a mistake, was weak some might say or alternatively we would say he was young. Barnabas wanted to give him a chance and continue to train John Mark but not Paul. Paul may have been given a second chance by Barnabas but he was not prepared to do the same. It just reminds me that God can change our nature but we have to remember we are human and sometimes we fail.
Those traits that we struggle with can be changed by God in a twinkling of an eye but that is not always the case and we have to be careful about our own behaviour. If Paul who we look up to as this amazing preacher can struggle with his own behaviour then how much more can we. As I look at my son and realise the struggle he has ahead of him the same one I did I pray that he will find strength in God to be the best person he can be.
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