“Joy is such a precious commodity. Why squander it on a quibble? The phrases we use regarding our pet peeves reveal the person who actually suffers. He ‘gets under my skin’ or ‘gets on my nerves’ or is such a ‘pain in my neck.’ Whose skin, nerves, and neck? Ours! Who suffers? We do! Every pet peeve writes a check on our joy account.”- Max Lucado
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”- Ephesians 4:2 (NIV)
In Chapter 3 (“Don’t Pet the Peeves”) of How Happiness Happens,Max Lucado takes on the subject of pet peeves. If only, Max laments, people would quit acting like people! After all, we believe, there’s a proper way for this world to run. Pastor Lucado explains:
“And when others behave in ways we don’t like, we call that a pet peeve. Not a colossal divide or hostile rivalry or legal violation. Just a pet peeve. A pet (smallish, personal, individual) peeve (quirk, peculiarity). A pet peeve.”
Consequently, you can’t help people when a hole exists in your happiness account. That’s why the apostle Paul advised us to exhibit patience. In addition, Pastor Lucado notes, the word Paul used for patient comes from a term that combines the words long and tempered. Furthermore, the word tempered literally means taking a long time to boil. In other words, the apostle exhorts us to avoid overheating too quickly. Because irks come with life. But, they need not diminish life. Even when occasions arise that require a Herculean act of forbearance just to put up with someone or something.
Certainly, the patient person observes all the peculiarities of this world. However, the patient person chooses not to react. Instead, he/she bears with them. Finally, Max states, happiness represents more decision than it does emotion – a decision to bear with one another.
Today’s question: What pet peeves rob you of the precious commodity of joy? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Constructive criticism – there’s a place”
