Lovebugs and People

 “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36)

God didn’t create lovebugs (or other pesky insects) as pests; they became bothersome after the fall of humanity. Is there anything good about lovebugs since then? They don’t bite or sting; they fly at night and feed on dead vegetation, redistributing nutrients back into the ground. Adult lovebugs live only a few days.

People can be annoying like lovebugs, at every turn and sometimes in your face. Like it or not, I’m annoying at times, even aggravate myself. And you can be annoying. God didn’t design this human trait; our nature did that. We may have learned it as a child; it may have developed from being rejected or hurt; it may be a tool to garner attention or purposefully irritate someone. But sometimes, annoying others is a silent cry for attention. Can any good come from annoyance? When God allows the same bothersome people to cross your path, it’s for a purpose: He wants you to pray for them. What if He chose you as the friend desperately needed, someone to listen and show patience and kindness? God chose you to point them to Him. But what if God used those irritating people to help you realize you have been annoying? An annoying personality will not draw others to God’s love and saving grace. 

We are accountable to God for our conduct—purposefully irritating others, interjecting a good “jab,” excusing it with, “I was just kidding,” or taking part in conversations with intentions to annoy, hurt, or falsely accuse is unacceptable. One day, unless forgiven by God, we will answer to our Maker for every meaningless, hurtful, and harmful word spoken, regardless of our reasons.