Do you find that people represent themselves by assigned offices or earned credentials, and that most credentials are academic? But there are other indications that validate authority. Consider Paul, who was quite advanced in the academic credentials of his day. He lists these in detail but then says that he counts them as dung. Yet when he needs to assert his authority he says let no man trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. A modern version of this is, ‘you can just shut up because I’ve paid my dues and have the marks to prove it’. Do you? Remember that not all scars are visible. 

Have you ever head someone exclaim that they are only human? Perhaps you have yourself. This is normally offered in a tone of resignation as an apology or an excuse. You should not apologize for being human, or use it as an excuse. What is man that thou art mindful of him? Yet you are made in my image, and this is true even in a fallen world. No other order of creation can claim this, and it is in human form that I came and walked among you. I am mindful of your frame, and know what you are capable of, and what you are not. I don’t expect more of you than you are able. Do you expect as much of yourself as you are able? 

I gave my people manna in the wilderness to sustain them, but they didn’t like it. They asked for  quail instead, and I gave them what they wanted, but it was still a bad choice on their part, for it gave them leanness in their souls, and this is a way that you don’t want to be lean. Some things are matters of universal truth and others are matters of personal preferences. How important are your tastes to you? In most cases wanting one thing rather than another is harmless. You should still review your preferences and resolve to hold them lightly lest they conflict with eternal truth and limit your spiritual growth. 

Are you distressed by the amount of evil in the world? Do you think that you see the world the way it is? Perhaps you see the world the way you are instead. My word declares that to the pure all things are pure, but to those who are defiled nothing is pure. If all you can see around you is evil you should ask yourself why. Cynicism is not consistent with your faith. In the beginning when I created the world I said that it was good. The fall did not change the basic goodness of my design. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. If you have eyes to see you will be aware that you live in a world of beauty and goodness ruled by a benevolent God despite the evil in it.