"What's wrong with these people !!!??!!!" Yep, that was me, driving in my truck, yelling at the top of my lungs whenever another vehicle was tailgating me. And these vehicles weren't just traveling behind me in close proximity, some had actually snuck up so close that I expected to be bumped from behind at any second.
My initial thoughts were, ”Really? What is their problem?" Then I would begin my scenarios of confronting these drivers, which contained all of the harsh words that I would say to them if I had the opportunity to pull them over. Let me tell you, I was steaming!
However, one of these days that I was being tailgated, in the midst of my usual upset behavior, I heard these words; ”Dave, what if the driver behind you is trying to get their child to the hospital?"
Whoa. This was a wake-up call for me, to settle down in the middle of such unnecessary attitudes and behavior. It may seem silly or unlikely, but when this possibility dawned on me, it changed everything about the way I react and respond.
Now, whenever tailgating occurs, instead of flying off the handle, I pull over as soon as I can and wave the driver on and then I pray for them. That brings me joy. I thank Jesus for His Spirit who lives in me and teaches me!
Let these promises of God encourage you:
"I will strengthen you and help you." Isaiah 41:10
"I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace." John 16:33
"Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecc. 7:9
"Practice hospitality, bless and do not curse." Romans 12:13,14 |
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