Many years ago, my frustrations blocked my path, literally. I got lost. (Pre-2000) Gripping handwritten directions and sweating in mid-summer with a no-air-conditioning Toyota mini-truck left me little to go on. I missed an onramp–somewhere.
My forty-five-minute trip took six hours. Filled with fear, worry, and some tears, once I stopped and asked someone for directions, I clearly saw how to get home.
Frustration Blurs our View
Jonah was told by God to travel to Nineveh. Warn the people, God told him, of the wrong they were committing. Johna did not want these instructions and fled in his own direction. He did not like God’s plan and was going to make sure he was not part of it.
When you try to stop God’s plans, life gets confusing.
Jonah ends up cast into the sea by men afraid of his God and soon after swalled whole by a whale. This is quite a mess he has found himself in!
What is the solution to things that frustrate you? Talking to God. AKA, prayer. It is simple. I finally stoped and asked for directions and received the information I needed. Jonah had already been given his directions.
Peace comes with this simple and humble step. Saying, “I don’t know the right thing to do in this situation, but someone else does,” is okay.
Still frustrated–what to do next.
The bigger issue is a heart issue. I know, you probably hear this a lot, so I appologize for repeating what you already know.
If we look at Jonah again, he was spiteful in his heart even while he did what God directed him to do. He warned the Ninevehites, but was bitter about it.
Was it that he needed to forgive these people? No. They had not hurt Jonah. Call it pride, ego, or lack of practice, God calls us to help people.
This help comes in a most unusual way. Prayer. We are to pray. Pray for those we love and pray for those who hurt us.
Stop. Come back!
There is so much discord in our lives. News bombards us with stories of crime, wrong doing, even uncontrollable weather. What can we really do with any of this news? We have our own lives to live.
If you listen, really listen closely to the effect of all the bad news, it creates an overwhelm and finger pointing.
God does not command us to be undone by news reports. He tells us to pray for those who bring harm. (Matthew 5:44) And Luke says it this way, you are to pray for anyone who uses you. (Luke 6:28)
Do you feel a continual flow of harm and being taken advantage of?
That could be the chorus of any news feed.
We are to respond with prayer. Does that sound boring and wimpy? The gift from God of peace can dwel in us when we submit to His power.
Tell me what you think about this.
I don’t like all of the news I hear about my town. But when I set aside my opinions and wants, praying for each person involved, I am giving God glory though my act of prayer. Instead of six hours of frustation, like my driving journey, I can release the outcome to God in a small amout of time.
God, help me see where I feel pushed around by a person or group. Guide my heart in prayer for them. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Until next week, keep Walking on Mustard Seeds,
Michele Marie Weisman
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash (map and chile)
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash (blurred woman with hands)
Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash (office garbage bin)
Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash (butterfly)