Two Bible verses for driving

I have to admit that I used to get pretty angry at other drivers on the road. Especially when I lived with my parents 25 miles out of town and I had a long drive into work each day. It seemed like people could be so selfish and rude on the road.

It's been 16 years since I got my driver's license and about eight years since I started praying that God would help me not to be angry while I was driving. Within the last eight years there have been two short Bible verses that I think about every single time I get behind the wheel. I believe they have affected my driving habits and attitude profoundly and positively. So I consider them an answer to prayer! That combined with accepting the fact that I have no control over what other people do, only what I do.

The first verse is Philippians 4:5:

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

Other translations say "your graciousness" "your humility" "your forbearing spirit". It's the opposite of aggressive, impatient and rude. It's gentleness that should be apparent to everyone around. Because the Lord is watching what I do and he cares.

The second verse is Leviticus 19:18

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.

When you start to think of the other drivers on the road as your neighbor, the implications are somewhat staggering. I often pray before driving that the Holy Spirit would work in me to love my neighbor as myself because I am clearly not equal to the task. One practical application is to not assume someone is an idiot who doesn't know how to drive. Maybe they are, I don't know. But if the roles were reversed I would want someone to believe the best of me. Maybe I was distracted, or having a bad day, or inexperienced, or I can't see well. Those things happen to rational and decent humans with normal IQs.

Of course, the best days on the road are when my knight in shining armor is off work and can drive me around. ;)