YAG II: Book of James – Stephanie Lee
“Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, Slow to Wrath”
Joy to be at YAG!
I’m thankful to be able to attend YAG since it started again in May 2022 last year! One observation that I had prior to becoming a parent was that it may be tough to attend Fellowship programmes with babies or children and I was worried that I, too, would no longer be a part of YAG once I became a mum. I understand the challenges and everybody’s circumstances are different. I’m just glad to be able to attend YAG on alternate weeks while my son, Elijah, is being taken care of by my husband, Josh, on these weeks. I appreciate this brief respite to be refreshed and enlightened in heart, mind and spirit, and to just learn from the Word of God. I found the book of James to be very helpful with many practical applications to life as a mother, wife and worker.
Some Lessons I’ve Been Learning
“Swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” (James 1:19)
One lesson that I found relevant is the lesson Pastor Mark taught us, on developing good qualities, to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. Sometimes, my natural self would be swift to speak, slow to hear, and sometimes I get triggered very easily and this lesson helped me to be very conscious of this problem of anger that comes up in various forms. At home, feeding Elijah can be very challenging. I would prepare a meal with different fruits and food for Elijah but sometimes, he would reject them, throw them on the floor and get cranky, and it can be very frustrating for everybody. I would find myself very drained and sometimes very impatient when Elijah does not want to eat and I would sigh and be upset with him. As I thought about how I could apply this lesson, I knew that I could work on how I relate to Elijah especially when I know that he can also sense my feelings. Whenever I found myself reaching my peak, I would swap with Josh and take some time to calm down and to recharge. I would remind myself that anger is unrighteousness and “He who is slow to wrath has great understanding.” (Proverbs 14:29a) Bit by bit, I began to be more patient in the way I relate to Elijah.
There are also days when work has been challenging and there can be tension at home. As a wife, I’ve been learning to be a better listener and to be slow to speak, bearing in mind what it means to live righteously in God’s ways.
“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only…” (James 1:22)
Another lesson I’ve been learning is to hide God’s Word in my heart. In James 1:22, it encourages us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. The Word of God can be such a huge source of strength to help me go through different challenges. Just recently, I had appendicitis and I had to undergo a surgery to remove an inflamed appendix. I was all alone in the Emergency Department at midnight as my mum had gone home earlier to rest and Josh was with Elijah. I remember feeling quite uncomfortable and apprehensive. As they were preparing me to go to the Operation Theatre, the nurses kept my phone and I couldn’t message anybody. What came to mind were memory verses I had memorised about the presence of God.
“My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” (Psalm 73:26)
“For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)
With God as the strength of my heart, my sun and shield, there was no need for fear. I was told to breathe in the sedatives for GA for 30 seconds and in the next minute, I was up but it was 3 hours later and the surgery was over. Everything happened really quickly and there was quite a bit of pain and discomfort in the initial stage but I’m recovering well now and I’m just so grateful for the Lord’s hand in preserving me and leading me to go to the A&E. In times of need, I thank God for His Word that helps me cope with fear and pain, and I’m challenged to keep hiding His Word in my heart and to be a doer of His Word, that His Word of truth may be a part of my life more.