Never look for righteousness in the other person, but never cease to be righteous yourself. (Oswald Chambers)

When somebody fails me in some way, my attitude is usually one of unruffled acceptance: "O well, what can you expect? He/she is simply behaving like a human being."

Also, such an attitude sets me up for pleasant surprises. These days when people actually do "come through for me" (as they usually do, in fact), then I have the luxury of being pleased and joyful about their success.

On the other hand, I'm trying to establish a standard of perfection for myself these days. I don't expect other people to behave perfectly but I expect it of myself. As Chambers said in the quote, my expectation is that I "never cease to be righteous" myself. It would be deadly for me to say about myself, "I'm just human." That is abundantly true, of course, but the whole point of my life these days is that I'm in a relationship with my Creator; I have His power in my life.

I understand why people behave the way they do! Apart from a daily infusion of grace, I'm just as bad as any of them. But I am continually surprised and pleased by how little anger or even aggravation at the failings of others I ever feel!

Heavenly Father, thanks so much that the coming of your Spirit has given me a sense of peace concerning the failings of others but a tremendous exuberance for the practice of your righteousness in my own life!