It’s freaking cold! And my arms don’t work

To the coupon pile. Scoop an appropriate coupon for reps, partner up and carry overhead to the thunder dome.

SLOWDOWNS !

• curl
• OHP
• Tri
• Throw-in
• Chest press
• Lunge
• Squat Press
• Sumo Squats
• Calf Raise
• V-ups
• LBCs

“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” ‭‭James‬ ‭4:1-3‬ ‭ESV‬‬ https://bible.com/bible/59/jas.4.1-3.ESV

I have what I would call a great marriage. My wife and I love each other, our children know that and know that we love them. We work hard together, we are generous with our time and resources, serve in our local church and schools and try to love those around us as best we can. We recently had an extended argument, which is unusual for us. This lasted for several days and brought with it several uneasy night sleeps, multiple disjointed exchanges, and a few hurtful words. It doesn’t take much, even in a great marriage for any of us to start feeling like things are “off,” and, if you’re anything like me, for us to start feeling as if we’re not getting what we “deserve.”

That is James’ whole point in this passage. We want things, and often feel as if we deserve, or even are owed things. Blessings, success, accolades, promotions, respect, love, intimacy, even just fun. When we don’t get what we think we “deserve”  it’s easy to get frustrated, even bitter. Quarrels, strife, anger follow quickly.

Sometimes we even ask for these things, or negotiate for them, or explain why we must have them. How often when we do this are we altruistic? How often when we do this are we looking for someone else’s benefit? How often, on the other hand, are we just being selfish. I want what I want and I want it now. In all reality, what I deserve is Hell and death. Anything better than that is a blessing, a gift.

I don’t deserve my wife, I don’t deserve my great marriage, I don’t deserve my great kids, and I don’t deserve you men. I certainly don’t deserve Jesus sacrifice on the cross to pay for my selfish, boneheaded stupidity. That’s the beauty of gifts that are freely given out of love and sacrifice, we don’t deserve them and so we, at least should, appreciate them that much more.

Look at what you have been striving for lately that you think you “deserve“ and reevaluate whether that’s true or if it’s just some stuff that you want. On the other hand, look at the gifts in your life that you don’t deserve and choose to appreciate them more.