Being human means we make mistakes. God knows that I do.
Last Sunday, after we celebrated my father-in-law’s 88th birthday, one of our neighbors stopped by to wish him well. What started as a simple “Happy Birthday” turned into a long conversation covering a myriad of topics. Our neighbor is not the least bit religious and doesn’t believe in God, in an afterlife, or even a soul. Still, we’ve always shared friendly, neighborly conversations. Historically, Terri has done this far better than I have.
Somewhere along the way, the topic shifted to health insurance. Specifically, it turned to the fact that I’m self-pay. Due to the cost, Terri and I made the decision years ago that we would handle my medical expenses out of pocket. Daunting? Sure. Doable? Yes. That apparently baffled our neighbor. Then, with a dismissive tone, she implied that I must not mind because I’m content with other people (taxpayers) footing the bill.
And that’s when I snapped.
Her assumption sent me straight through the roof. I got SO angry I walked out. Stormed out, truthfully.
No. It wasn’t my finest moment. And it certainly wasn’t the witness I want to be.
Anger can rise fast, especially when we feel misunderstood or unfairly judged. How we respond in those moments can reveal as much about our hearts as it does about the situation.
Later that evening, I apologized to my in-laws for leaving abruptly. Then I called my neighbor. She didn’t answer, so I left a voicemail and an apology I meant sincerely. Today she texted back, graciously accepting it.
I’m learning that being human isn’t the problem. Pretending we aren’t is. Don’t get me wrong. I still disagree with her assessment.
Grace meets us in the moments we’d rather forget. God doesn’t ask us to be flawless; He asks us to be faithful. And sometimes faithfulness looks like circling back, owning our mistakes, and doing what we can to repair the relational dust we stirred up.
We get angry. We misunderstand. We feel misunderstood. We react harshly. We walk away too soon. But by God’s grace, we can also return—humbly—and choose love again.
At the end of the day, it’s not perfection that bears witness. It’s humility. It’s honesty. It’s grace lived out loud.
And I’m grateful for second chances, both from God and from neighbors.
Bible Verses for Reflection
James 1:19–21 ESV
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
Psalm 103:8 ESV
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Colossians 3:12–14 ESV
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
Proverbs 15:1 ESV
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Romans 12:18 ESV
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Matthew 5:9 ESV
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
Micah 6:8 ESV
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
A Closing Prayer
My Sweet Lord,
Thank You for loving us in our humanity both in our strength and in our weakness. Teach us to respond with grace when our emotions get the best of us even when others goad us.
Help us slow down, take a breath, and remember whose we are. We are Yours.
Give us the humility to apologize when we’ve hurt others and compassion to forgive when we’ve been hurt. May our lives point to You, even in our imperfect moments. Shape us into people who choose love, choose peace, and choose the path that looks most like Jesus. In the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
The Devotional Guy™ 
I’m grateful for God’s grace and for friends like you who help keep me accountable, David. When I was reading your parable about your experience at the urgent care, I chuckled at how different our people experiences were this week and as a result, our stories we shared were different. Thankfully we are both loved by God. Keep up the good fight. Our noisy world needs our voice.
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“I’m learning that being human isn’t the problem. Pretending we aren’t is.”
Amen, brother!
It took courage and humility to apologize for getting angry because of someone else’s insensitive comment.
At the end of the day, God is our judge, and living by our (hopefully) Holy Spirit guided conscience is paramount.
Look good on you, brother, and it gives glory to God too!
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Thanks so much, Rosie! I’m glad the post resonated with you. You’re right—grace really does flow both ways, and living it out is where the real beauty (and challenge) often lies. I love that it’s already “in your post oven”—looking forward to seeing how God stirs it in your writing!
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Good post, thank you for sharing as it isn’t everyone who will show the reality of grace lived. Grace given is Grace received, it works both ways for us even if not by others. A topic already in the post oven. ~ Rosie
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