Reflection on Job 5:2

 “ For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.”
                                                             Job 5:2 (KJV)
 
     I was reading my Bible today and came across the following words:  “Nay, impatience kills the fool and indignation slays the simpleton.”  [These words are from Job 5:2 (NAB.)]  I am not sure why these words caught my eyes, but they did.  I know God stopped me at these words for a reason.  It is strange.  In the King James Version, I might not have noticed the words.  I don’t really consider myself to be a wrathful person or an envious person.  However, I can at times relate to the NAB version of this verse. 
 
     To me, this is a sign to rethink some of my thoughts, feelings, and actions.  I have been in “a funk” lately and this may be my ticket out.  At times, I do feel impatient and/or indignant.  Do I mean to?  No.  Do I think these are good feelings?  No.  But, do I have them?  Yes.  I think we all feel like this at one time or another and to say otherwise would be just fooling ourselves.
 
     If I don’t correct my actions, do I think that lightening is going to come out of the sky and strike me dead?  Well, even though I know God could do that, I don’t believe that is what will happen.  Yet, I can tell you that this “funk” I have been feeling is quite draining.  It feels like I have been dying, in a way. 
 
     So, where do I go from here?  Since I do not want to be killed or slayed, I work at fixing the problem.  I pray for God to show me the errors of my ways and to give me the wisdom and strength to change my ways.   I read God’s Word to find answers and clues that help me find my way.    I look for ways that God may show me in my everyday life, to get rid of the “impatience” and “indignation.”   I focus on the positive and be more thankful for what I have.
 

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