Finding My Grace

It’s just a little thing, buried in the other things, burning away from inside…And there’s a quiet dream, I’m not supposed to think, eating away at my mind… – Jimmy Eat World, Littlething

The other day I was just plain irritated. Not the kind of RIP YOUR FACE OFF angry, just irritated. It happens to us all, there was a bunch of little things going wrong and it was starting to get to me. Next thing I know I was starting to get irritated that I was irritated! So I decided to sit down and make a list of what was pissing me off:

1. I was going to be missing my favorite band play in Austin, TX (where I live) because I’d be out of town
2. The other concert I was supposed to go to just announced the show was cancelled
3. My favorite sports team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, continue to rack up injuries and I’m beginning to accept the fact that the season may already be over for them.
4. I had just done my taxes, and somehow the government wants a lot more of my money.
5. Certain people were really starting to get on my nerves
6. With every item I’d checkoff on my todo list, I’d add 3-4 more

So I sat back and took a good look at this list. Was it really that bad? Of course not. So I went through each item on that list and made a case for why I really shouldn’t be irritated by it:

1. I’m going to be in London for the first time which is why I’ll be missing the show. Boohoo.
2. I’ve seen this band before and there will be another opportunity (since then they have rescheduled the show!)
3. It’s just a sports team. They are actually very much in the playoff race, they just won’t win it this year. They raised the cup just two years ago, though!
4. I’m able to pay what I owe in taxes, not everyone is as fortunate.
5. There’s not much I can do about this, other then to keep on doing my thing.
6. Job security!

I was also reminded of a popular Bible verse, Isaiah 41:10:

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand

We all go through periods of frustration. It’s easy to look at other’s frustration and argue that you or someone else has it much worse. It doesn’t change the fact that we all feel the emotion. Remember, life isn’t about perfection. It would be incredibly boring if it was.

But when you do reach those moments of frustration, remember these words of encouragement:

• 1 Peter 5:7 – Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
• Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
• John 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
• Proverbs 3:5-6 – With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow.
• Philippians 4:6-7 – Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and request to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that on one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

You may pray for an hour and still not pray. You may meet God for a moment and then be in touch with Him all day. – Fredrik Wisloff I came to a pretty interesting conclusion the other day. There is more than one way to pray to God: routine praying and sincere praying. Routine [...]