I had one of those non-stop, hectic days, yesterday. I began the day with a to-do list that was way too long, before I even got started. I was setting myself up for frustration and failure to begin with and then of course, there was a problem with the cable that required a phone call. It was just one more thing on the list and I dreaded spending thirty minutes to an hour on the phone trying to troubleshoot the cable box, when I knew they would have to send someone out.
I was grumbling as I looked for the phone number and I grudgingly stayed on the phone with a computer voice for fifteen minutes or so before it realized I needed a real live person. When the person finally came on, I went through all of my information. He was very kind and when he re-set whatever he re-set, it disconnected me and I had to call again. Did I mention that we have our phone service with the cable company too? The second representative was also very polite and apologetic, but I had to give all of the same detailed information one more time. She sent a special signal as well that also, you guessed it, disconnected me.
At this point, I began to see red. How could these people be so incompetent? I saw my day slipping away. Since I’m trying to be more intentional about letting others control my emotions, I had to put the phone down, take a deep breath and say a prayer. “Dear God, please help me to remember that in the big picture, this tiny sliver of time won’t matter. Please help me try to remember that no one is intentionally trying to ruin my mood or my day. Please help me to remember that these people are people just like me who are trying to do their jobs. They didn’t try to fail on purpose. Most of all, Father, please help me to remember that I have a choice here. Amen.”
I calmly picked up the phone and dialed a third time. The fellow on the other line was delightful. After listening to my story and trying a couple of things, he sent a repairman that afternoon. We ended up with a new box with a clearer picture than ever and he did something to speed up the internet while he was here too.
I could have been angry or annoyed for the rest of the day over those forty-five minutes or so of frustration, but who would have won? There certainly is a time and place for righteous anger, when we have been seriously hurt or wronged, but this was not it. I’m working on trying to remember that emotions that are opposite of the fruits of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control,” likely come from somewhere else.
I am happy to say that I won this particular battle and I know without a doubt that it was due to prayer. It really is a powerful weapon. How about you? How do you do with daily frustrations? Please feel free to comment.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂