Providence Battles Impatience
Kevin DeYoung Blog | April 25, 2012
John Calvin:If there is no more effective remedy for anger and impatience, he has surely benefited greatly who has so learned to meditate upon God's providence that he can always recall his mind to this point: the Lord has willed it; therefore it must be borne, not only because one may not contend against it, but also because he wills nothing but what is just and expedient.
To sum this up: when we are unjustly wounded by men, let us overlook their wickedness (which would but worsen our pain and sharpen our minds to revenge), remember to mount up to God, and learn to believe for certain that whatever our enemy has wickedly committed against us was permitted and sent by God's just dispensation. (Institutes 1.17.8)
As you read over the quotation about patience, remember that it applies to parenting too, as we can often be "unjustly wounded" by our children.
It may also help to remember that Calvin struggled with outbursts of anger his whole life.
Comments:
April 26, 2012 at 07:32 AM
[...] of the day from Simon Senik – “The best tool in any negotiation is patience.” Kevin DeYoung’s blog quoting Calvin, “If there is no more effective remedy for anger and impatience, he has surely [...]
April 25, 2012 at 10:34 PM
Calvin....,the original "positive thinker!"
April 25, 2012 at 10:19 AM
Kevin,
Thanks so much for this post! Impatience and anger have always gotten the best of me. Calvin's thoughts are most helpful, and humbling.
Rick McCready
April 25, 2012 at 08:47 AM
Thanks Dr. Kevvin.
Do you think that the need for being reminded is a fall-out from origional sin?
April 25, 2012 at 03:36 PM
See also Psalm 37.
April 25, 2012 at 03:19 PM
I think you have the right sense, Ryan. What Calvin here enjoins is that we not become so dismayed by the wickedness of men that we forget the goodness of God. The temptation is to be dismayed and overcome by injustice (see Psalm 116), but the Spirit leads us to see God's hand at work and to seek his kingdom (justice) in all aspects of our lives. When Calvin says to overlook wickedness, he is not saying ignore it or pretend it didn't happen, he is saying not to let it be our consuming focus, drawing us away from Christ.
April 25, 2012 at 01:06 PM
"the Lord has willed it; therefore it must be borne... because he wills nothing but what is just and expedient."
I'm trying to square this idea with our prayer: "your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."
@anyone: what is the proper spirit of this prayer? Is it a way of yielding to the state of affairs on earth as already reflecting God's will? Or, oppositely, is it a way of aligning ourselves with God's will, acknowledging it as counter to the state of affairs on earth as we see sin and brokenness and injustice around us?
In other words, whatever a deep appreciation of God's providence should mean to us, it shouldn't mean that we be discouraged from fighting against injustice. I know Calvin is speaking of being personally wronged here, but if the principle applies in that case, shouldn't we also respond to the harsh reality of sex trafficking in the world by saying, "the Lord has willed it; therefore it must be borne... because he wills nothing but what is just and expedient"? To put it mildly, that doesn't sit right with me!
I suspect Calvin is speaking of a different kind of "will" than what Jesus means in the Lord's Prayer (i.e. Calvin means God's "hidden" will and Jesus means God's "revealed" will). I'd appreciate the clarification!
LOTD: Catching Up « Crooked Pencils
April 27, 2012 at 01:44 AM
[...] John Calvin on providence and impatience. Need to remember this more. (HT: Kevin DeYoung): If there is no more effective remedy for anger and impatience, he has surely benefited greatly [...]