Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12

Every morning when I wake up, one of the first things I do is get dressed. During the spring, it helps to know what the weather forecast is for the day, since I might need summer clothes or winter clothes.

It pays to check the weather channel or read your paper for the forecast.

But what about spiritual clothing? The enemy wants us to have a bad weather day!

Last week, the Lord brought this verse to my mind as I contemplated my behavior around my wife. I found myself with a bad attitude at times, and this reflected in angry words and a fractured relationship with my wife.

We have been remodeling a house we purchased a couple of years ago, and lots of stress as we try and get it ready for the rental market. Now the house belongs to my wife, and we both have rental properties. We help each other work on our respective properties.

We have both been doing this for several years, and I find myself trying to dictate to her what we should be doing on her project. Big mistake. I had to check my attitude, and give up all rights, and clothe myself with gentleness and patience as suggested in Col 3:12.

Since we are both Chief Executive Officers of our own real estate businesses, it is natural to take charge of any project and dictate the way we want it done. I am learning that she is a wise woman and completes her projects in the way that she has been doing it for years. Conflict comes when we disagree on what types of paint to use on the interior and exterior of the homes.

I usually use flat paint since it hides a lot of the flaws in the sheet rock and she uses satin paint since it is easier to clean and wipe down. It does not really matter, but since I have been doing drywall finishing for many years, I do not like to see flaws in the finished product. She likes to be able to wipe down the walls when we have a tenant exchange. This is just one example. Many other projects call for the same reponse from me. "I know best, and I am King of the project---- :) Not so!

So I am learning to be flexible and do it her way!

I have to clothe myself with humility and “eat humble pie”. I also have to put on the kindness clothing and choose my words carefully.

I made several copies of the verse and posted them on my dashboard of my truck and on our project we are remodeling. I am committing the verse to memory.

So today, when you get up, Put on your spiritual armor as suggested in Eph. 6:10-17

10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15. and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

I also use another tool to help me in this. I called up three of my closest friends and asked them to check up on my from time to time and ask me how I was doing. That is an added restraint to me, because I do not want to lie to them and tell them I have blown it and got mad at my wife today. Accountability to others is a lost art in our churches today. I hope this helps you in your walk with the Lord today.

Jim Young

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