Bible Question:

Are there any scriptures that could help me to not be upset by little things that my wife and child do sometimes? It seems as though they do things that just tax my nerves.

Bible Answer:

I have recently been studying the life of Moses and the effect that the people of Israel had on Moses. The relationship was not a positive one. Even before Israel left Egypt, they started complaining. The books of Exodus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are filled with their complaining. Always their leader Moses went to the Lord to plead for them, but they complained so much and so often that God eventually said this about them,

How long shall I bear with this evil congregation who are grumbling against Me? (NASB) Numbers 14:27

Moses Upset

God called them an “evil congregation” because of their constant grumbling. Eventually, in the wilderness of Zin Israel, Moses committed a serious sin – he became angry. Scripture tells us that there was no water for the people nor for their animals and so they complained against Moses. The historical account is recorded in Numbers 20:1-13. So Moses and Aaron went to God and asked for water and God told Moses to speak to a rock. Once before he was told to strike the rock but not this time. Psalm 106:33 tells us that Moses acted rashly. He was upset and so he struck the rock two times in a heat of emotion.

Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock? (NASB) Numbers 20:10

Notice that Moses called them a name – “rebels.” He did not give God the credit, but he took the credit to himself – “we.” Here is how God reacted.

Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them. (NASB) Numbers 20:12

God told Moses that he was guilty of not obeying Him and because of that he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy 3:25-26 implies that Moses was begging God to let him enter, and apparently he begged so much that God became angry with him. The book of Deuteronomy ends by telling us that Moses died but “his eye was not dim, nor his vigor abated” (Deut. 34:7). That means Moses died prematurely. This leader died a premature death because he disobeyed God.

Message To Us

God chose to deny Moses something that he really wanted. God also ended his life and his ministry early. What a lesson for us! That was a double discipline. God did not make him sick. God did not take away money. God took away the one thing he really wanted – to enter the Promised Land. He had labored all these years in ministry, and then God took away the one thing he really wanted. What a loss! So his life ended early and someone else took over . . . Joshua.

Conclusion:

I would encourage you to read Numbers 20:1-13. And may I encourage you to read Philippians 2:14-16. But maybe the most serious scripture of all is

You husbands likewise, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with a weaker vessel, since she is a woman; and grant her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered. (NASB) 1 Peter 3:7

The passage is very clear. God listens and answers our prayers to the degree we honor our wives. Do you ever feel like God is not listening? Honor is all about how we feel about them and treat them.

I trust this helps. May I also encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to fill you – to take control of you (Gal. 5:16; Eph. 5:17-20). Peace and patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. He is the one you will give you this victory. Start by confessing your sins and then ask Him to take control of you to keep you from testing and give you victory when you are tested (1 Corinthians 10:13).