The End of a Thing

Do you ever get angry when things don’t go the way you plan? Maybe not angry. If you’re like me, you’d prefer to call it frustrated, irritated, upset, grumpy, whiny, or impatient (okay, I admit it, that sounds a lot like angry).

I have been known to get very, very angry over small things, like my children taking twenty minutes to get in the van or my husband deciding there’s “one last thing” that needs to be done before we can leave on that family excursion I planned down to the minute (and yes, we are going to miss half of it if you all don’t get moving).

But you know what? We end up having a good time in the end, and somehow it all works out.

King Solomon seems to have understood and offers his wisdom on the situation:

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning,

and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry,

for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9, ESV)

That explains why I feel foolish by the end of the day when I think back on my anger. I didn’t know the end; I didn’t wait to see it; and I foolishly assumed my plans were best.

Of course, King Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wasn’t just talking about delays in getting out of the house (although I think they're included!). He was talking about life-changing decisions and life-threatening illnesses. He was talking about longings that never seem to be satisfied and relationships that always seem to be broken.

I’m willing to bet you’ve been there. Maybe you’re there now. Let Solomon’s words encourage you: the end will be better than the beginning. Be patient; not prideful. Remember that your plans aren’t the best plans. Getting angry will only turn out to be foolish.

A few verses later, Solomon adds:

“In the day of prosperity, be joyful, and in the day of adversity consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that man may not find out anything that will be after him.” (Ecclesiastes 7:14, ESV)

We never know the end of a thing. But God does. We can trust Him.