IN ALL THINGS?
1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus
I feel most of the time I want the best for all those around me. Maybe there are times I find just a little joy in seeing someone get what they have coming to them. (I know that's not right, but it's my human nature coming out on occasion). But over all I rejoice with those that rejoice and I mourn with those that mourn.
I've had so many times in nearly 40 years of guiding when I've worked extremely hard from someone else's success, just to have them do something stupid and blow it. When I look back on years of guiding in the high elevations of the Rockys of Alaskan mountains and all the effort that was put forth... when someone missed the perfect opportunity, it not only meant they would often go home without a trophy, but it was frustrating because we would start all over again... and wear me out even more.
To say that jli would get a little frustrated (actually a lot frustrated) would be an understatement .
Jesus must have faced constant frustrations, with others, but it seems He never got irritated. He always made time for people. He showed them love in times of frustration. He was far more patient than I.
We get so preoccupied with our own frustrations that we forget that God and then people are the priority in life. No matter how upset, disappointed or frustrated we become, we still have a responsibility to show the same love that Christ has shown us.
So what do we do?
1) We can ask ourselves, "what can I learn from this?" Romans 8:28 says, "In all things God works for the good of those who love him." There are many hard and frustrating things in this life, but things will work together for those that truly love God. He can even take the negative and turn it into a positive if we let him. We can use irritation and frustration as an opportunity to become more like Christ and become an example for Him in this world.
2) We can turn the frustration into a funny life event. Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine". A sense of humor is God's prescription for anger and frustration. How can we not laugh at a package heading to Georgia that ends up in Mexico? It is impossible for that to happen without an international label... you have to laugh.
3) We can Ask God to fill us with his love. 1 Corinthians 13:5 tells us, "Love is not easily angered." Love is not self-serving... it is however self-giving. We get irritated when we think everything has to work just for us. Love concentrates on the other person.
4) Certainly not last (but for the sake of time), lastly, we can thank God in the frustrating situation. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "Give thanks in all circumstances." You don't have to be thankful for a bad situation, but you can be thankful going through bad situations. Frustration may be a blessing in disguise.
Remember the old bracelets WWJD... Well... What would Jesus do? He would love those around Himself, even in the midst of the frustration. And be thankful in ALL things... yes ALL THINGS!
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