Someone asked me the other day, I think it was in one of my leadership classes, where I have grown the most since I have been pastoring. I didn’t know the answer to the question, and I made a couple of guesses, but I have been thinking about it since. I think it would be in the area of arguing or debating with another person about theology, methods, opinions or the facts of a past event. It wasn’t something I did often, but whenever I did, I was almost always bothered by the outcome, and my behavior. I think it is the area of most growth, but I am not even close to being perfect or even adequate in complying with 2 Timothy 2:24, “The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,”

I have a list of character traits, habits, and behavior issues that I have identified in myself that I need to overcome and get rid of in my life. I go over the list periodically and think of any events, conversations, or conflicts where one of them was the problem. I write a bit about what took place then I write what I should have done or said, and then write, and this, “Lord Jesus, is what I intend to say or do next time with your help and strength.”