“The Lord was working on Joseph concerning his disposition.
Had he not been allowing the Lord to work in him, concerning his emotions, he would’ve likely responded much differently when it was discovered that Mary was pregnant.”
-Barry Rackley
It’s normal to have personality flaws.
Short tempers.
Stubbornness.
Brassy.
Prideful.
Arrogant.
To name a few…
Those things we like to classify as “that’s just how I am, or how I was raised.”
I’m sure there were plenty of areas that Joseph could’ve accepted this excuse in his life.
But instead, he chose to cultivate attitudes, reactions, personality traits, and so on.
He didn’t make excuses for himself, he grew.
It would’ve been understandable if he had flown off the handle at Mary when she told him of the angel’s foretelling of Christ.
It would’ve been understandable if he would’ve wanted to make an example of her and clear his own name.
But instead, he responded in compassion, refusing to make her a public affair.
Instead he listened when the Lord told him that she was with child of the Holy Ghost.
Why?
Because he had likely been cultivating behaviors that were Christlike.
He was cultivating Christlikeness before Christ even walked the earth.
He didn’t accept the excuse of “this is just how I am.” Or “I’ve been done wrong.”
He chose a higher calling.
What behaviors are you cultivating?
What personality flaws are you excusing that you should be working on?
Your behaviors affect other lives besides your own. Joseph’s reaction was a life or death situation for Mary and Jesus within her womb.
That personality flaw that you keep excusing, instead of taking responsibility for, may be hindering more than you realize.
It’s time to grow.
It’s time to take responsibility.
It’s time to cultivate.
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