By FRUSTRATION: The feeling of being upset or annoyed especially because of inability to change or achieve.
Proverbs 14:29. “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
God put the subject of getting frustrated on my heart recently. This is something we all deal with probably on a daily basis. Whether it be with our job, spouse, children….you get the picture. It could be something so small, like they didn’t do something quite the way we would have done it or not quick enough. I had a humbling experience with this not so long ago.
A while back, I woke up and turned my phone on as usual. The first thing I saw was a text from our credit card company saying there was a suspicious charge of $45.00 on my card and to contact them immediately. So, as you might guess, I did right away.
WRONG MOVE!!! This was before my coffee & Jesus time. You see, I have somewhat of a daily schedule. I get up, get dressed, and have my coffee and Jesus time. This sets the day for me and puts things in a positive direction.
Now, to get back to the credit card situation. You thought I was chasing a rabbit down a hole…. right?? Well, I tried fixing the problem online but I couldn’t get the password to work at all. So I proceeded to call the credit card company but they needed my husband to OK the conversation. ERRRR!!!! Can you say frustrated already?!
Once I was connected with someone on the phone, the customer rep and I began discussing the situation but neither one of us understood what the other was trying to say. The frustration really began to set in for both of us. This went on for 1 1/2 hours. Let me repeat myself: one and a half hours!! Then, she finally transferred me to someone else. *sigh*
During that transfer time, I was able to stop and think how easily we can become upset. It also gave God time to peck me on the shoulder and remind me that they are only doing their jobs. And I also thought to myself, how many times have we been on the other end of this conversation??
By the time the other rep got on the line, I was calmer and within minutes the problem was taken care of. So, I apologized.
In the world we live in today, everything is so fast paced. We have a million things on our minds and we don’t have enough time in the day to get everything done. Our nerves get frayed, we lose our tempers very quickly, and usually with people that have no idea why we are acting that way.
Can you imagine how frustrated the Lord could get with us? If we don’t get what he is showing us, or we choose to ignore it all together?
You are probably wondering where I am going with all this. I just want to encourage you to start your day with some Jesus time. Before you do anything else, read His word, start a devotional, pray, and put some worship music on. Believe me, it makes a difference. God doesn’t want us to be angry and frustrated. We need to be more like Him: patient and slow to anger.
I hope this touches someone that might be frustrated over something… just take a step back, talk to God for a minute and then carry on… you will be amazed how much that helps.
Be blessed and never let your cup be empty,
Lou
Lou Ann Virden is the author of the blog Farmhouse, Coffee and Jesus. She is very active in her church. She volunteers in the food pantry, usher/greeter team, and cleaning crew. She is on the prayer team, is over the sound room team, and she writes the newsletter for her church. Lou Ann and her husband Donnie will be relaunching The Refuge 180 Evangelism Ministry. They have been married for over 40 years. They live on her husband’s family farm with their dog Hunter. In the summer they are busy canning what they harvest from their garden. Her hobbies include going to the beach, reading, camping, and serving however she can. She hopes that her blogs inspires someone that might be dealing with a similar situation.
by leaps and bounds 