Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Lately I’ve found myself getting frustrated with the way some things are going in my life. Everything is great, I’m profoundly blessed. But… if only I could get this one event to work the way I want, or… if only I could get people to see it my way…
Do you know how many bible verses there are about frustration? None.
There is however, Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Whenever my frustration level boils, I find myself using pronouns a lot. I. Me. You. Sure, shift the blame, that always works. Like when my arthritic dog refuses to walk. or when I feel profoundly lonely in the middle of the day. Wanting more but not knowing what step to take to get it. Red flags.
As soon as my mind is filled with more pronouns than thankful praise, there is something up. Conviction slowly creeps in. I lose my patience and blame other elements for my discontentment. In these moments, how often do we stop to hear what God is saying?
As I pick up my 40 pound dog, my back already tweaked from the previous days work, and carry him across two acres… I hear God telling me to praise Him… Yes, Lord, I will praise you…
God, I pray today that you would make me pliable to Your will. God I ask that you would create in me a pure heart and help me to trust in you with all my heart and lean not on my own understanding. You know best God, and you know me best. Thank you God for your grace and guidance through this blessed, crazy life. I give it all to you, God. – Amen.