By Martha Bush 
Picture this scene:
My husband and I were on our way to the bank to take care of some business. A disagreement broke out in the car. And just like that, I threw a hissy fit!
If you want to know what a hissy fit looks like, the dictionary describes it as: the expression comes from the actions of a cat when it is suddenly upset—it shows its anger by hissing and swatting, and baring its teeth.
Now, now, all you Goody Two Shoes! Don’t be judging me!
Good news! From that experience, I learned some valuable lessons to pass onto you, just in case you might ever find yourself on the verge of a fit.
- Don’t ever disagree while riding in a closed-up car! (You can’t walk away!)
- If you do find yourself in a closed-up car and a fit comes on, keep your swatting and waving arms to a minimum, so that passing motorists won’t stare at you.
- Remember what happened to Moses, and you will never have a hissy fit!
Moses? Oh yes, Moses was the first person I thought of when my clock struck 12 midnight a few hours later after the fit.
Before I tell you of my encounter with the Lord at midnight, join me with Moses in the Desert of Zin at the waters of Meribah. It was here that the Israelites turned against Moses and Aaron because there was no water. So, Moses and Aaron went to the tabernacle and prostrated themselves before God. (Numbers 20:2-6)
The Lord said to Moses:
“You and Aaron must take the staff and assemble the entire community. As the people watch, speak to the rock over there, and it will pour out its water. You will provide enough water from the rock to satisfy the whole community and their livestock.”
So Moses did as he was told. He took the staff from the place where it was kept before the Lord. Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.
But, the Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
“Because you did not trust me enough
to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel,
you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”
(Numbers 20:8-12 NLT)
Back to me - - In the midnight hours, it was as though I heard a big Grandfather clock on the wall chime: bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong, bong!
My eyes popped wide opened, and I instantly knew the Lord wanted to talk to me. And this is what He said:
“Martha, at the present time, you are the spiritual leader of your home, and you are to represent Me to your husband. I have pre-positioned you in your home for such a time as this. You are also a leader of a group. To whom much responsibility is given, much is required, as it was with Moses. My grace is sufficient for you to be a leader.” (Esther 4:14) (Luke 12:48)
“But, I want to remind you of what the Apostle Paul said, ‘don’t frustrate the grace of God.’ And right now, my grace for you is a little frustrated." (Galatians 2:21)
“Make sure you understand, Martha, my grace is not frustrated when you come to Me with your disappointments, hurts, needs, asking for guidance; those things intensifies my grace. But, when you don’t represent my holiness in front of people, especially your spouse - - that frustrates my grace.”
“As your daddy would have said to you, ‘Young lady, I have raised you better than that. Don’t ever let me hear you talk and act like that again.’”
GULP!
And right then and there, I asked the Lord to forgive me. I wanted to wake my husband up in the middle of the night to apologize to him, but I was afraid he would think I was trying to take another swing at him.
But, when morning came, before he even had his first cup of coffee, I began: “I want you to know I’m so sorry for the fit I pitched in the car yesterday. We are all made in God’s image, and He is a God of love. I didn’t represent Him well. Please forgive me."
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And now, my friends, I have a couple of questions for you.
- Do you have a hissy fit story you’d like to share?
- What are your thoughts on Moses not getting to enter The Promise Land?