When I was working, not realizing the intercom was on, I made a comment to my work associate that was intended for her ears only. It wasn’t anything ‘bad’ or ‘negative about a person.’
As I announced over the intercom, she strolled into my office with a complaint. Thinking I had disconnected from the intercom, I said, “They need to do their work and stop complaining,” as I hung up. I told her my team needed to do their assigned tasks, but I didn’t want them to hear it over the intercom.
My associate was walking from my office into the hallway when I made the comment. She rushed back into the office, breathing fast, “They all heard! The intercom was still on.”
I puffed out my chest. “So what? It was the truth. They should not whining and do their work.”
I completed my day of work.
When I got home the Holy Spirit asked, “What are you going to do about it?”
“Nothing…” I mumbled under my breath.
A few hours later. “How are you going to handle the situation?”
“It was the truth. They’ll get over it.” I mumbled.
Although I intently focused on other things, my mind kept returning to the incident. I attempted to justify my rightness with a thought there was nothing to do because “What’s done is done.”
As I prayed before going to bed I heard clearly, “It’s not about them, it’s about you.”
I was really puzzled then. “Me? I didn’t insult anyone or say anything negative, how can this be about me?”
The next morning during prayer I heard, “Apologize.”
“Apologize for what; for making a true statement?” I debated back and forth with the Holy Spirit until He said, “Humble yourself.”
Flabbergasted, I asked, “Humble myself?”
“Do you want a closer relationship with me as you’ve been praying? Then choose ‘me’ over ‘self.’”
“But I don’t want to do it… I didn’t do anything wrong.”
Throughout the day, I heard in my spirit, “Humility, humility, humility.”
I thought I was already humble, and did not understand what the Lord was doing.
When I finally submitted and said, “Okay, I’ll apologize at the team meeting,” the Holy Spirit said, “All things work together for good for those who love God…You don’t know who will be helped by your act of humility and obedience.”
My flesh did not want to go to the meeting, look at the faces, and say I was wrong for making the statement over the intercom for all to hear.
But I had been praying for God to reveal anything in me that displeases Him and He is doing it.
I didn’t want to do it but I did!
Perhaps I’ll tell you at a later date how God crucified a “Quick temper.”
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”………………………………………. 1st Peter 5:6 (NASB)
Tell me about situations when you didn’t want to apologize.