Leading with Humility and Grace

4/30/2026

James 1:19 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."

My husband had a very stressful day yesterday. His job is high stress in general, but there were so many battles happening during his day, and his frustration was mounting with each difficult answer and interaction. At one point, he needed to check with his doctor's office about a scheduling question. The woman who works in this position is not very kind; I have actually experienced her brusqueness as well. 

His question was a valid one, but it was met with this woman's usual curt reply. Well, my kind and amiable hubby was gassed out, and he met her unprofessional response with his last ounce of frustration. As he recounted the interaction to me and our son later on in the evening, his level of frustration was still firmly in place, as were his feelings of justification in his pushback. This was understandable, albeit shocking to his small audience. He clearly was having a really difficult day. 

This afternoon, we had a brief phone conversation while he was having lunch. He recounted his morning to me, which included a follow-up call to the doctor's office. He took care of the business end of the conversation and then he apologized to the scheduler. I was somewhat taken aback, touched, and very pleased. He had every right to complain as he did the day before, but the Holy Spirit took hold of him and had his conversation instead be seasoned with salt and full of light. 

Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

The schedular herself did not apologize for her poor reaction, but she did soften and the conversation was much lighter and respectful. Leading with grace and speaking in a way that honors Jesus is what we, as believers, are called to do. We are supposed to treat other as we would like to be treated and even love our enemies. Too often, I know this is also true for me, we act more like the world and less like people saved by grace. We fall into self-protection and self-righteousness instead of extending grace. The more we are able to do so, the greater the impact on others. We can only do this, however, if we are attempting to stay in a vertical disposition daily. It is only when we remain open to the Holy Spirit's leading that we can be in the world, but not of it. 

John 3:30 "He must increase, but I must decrease."

This short verse is so powerful, and it has become a prayer for me. It helps me keep that all-important vertical focus and helps keep my spirit open to His leading. I will always be a work in progress, but I am not alone, for He will never leave me or forsake me.