Part Three of the lessons God had for me.

In my quiet time, while thinking through these events, it struck me that my irritation and worry at the airport were “glory-stealers.” That is, by my worry I was saying “The Lord isn’t handling this well, so I’d better jump in and help Him out!” There was no faith in that response and thereby I was stealing His glory. But when He reminded me to trust Him and to rest in His strength, I was able to praise without any solution in sight– that gave Him glory!

This insight opened up a whole new perspective for me: in every response I can steal glory from God or give it to Him!

The next morning there was opportunity to practice this. We were getting ready to go to the office; Barbara was carefully arranging everything in our room before leaving and I was getting impatient. Then the Spirit reminded me: “Isn’t impatience a ‘glory-stealer?’”

“Oh, right, Lord! I repent; thank you for this delay and the patience you offer me!” My heart calmed down, I relaxed, all went well, and most importantly, God was glorified before all the angels and demons, as well as the great cloud of witnesses watching us. And we got there on time.

So I encourage us all to take a closer look at our reactions and be aware that sins such as worry, complaining, negativity and impatience are all glory-stealers. At the same time they are also opportunities to repent, deny what is natural and give glory to God through trust and praise. All the spiritual beings around us see it clearly, as do many human beings!  “He who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me and opens the way that I may show him the salvation of the Lord” (Ps. 50:23).