Frustrations

"Remember that you have been saved so that the life of Jesus may be manifested in your body (see 2 Corinthians 4:10). Direct the total energy of your powers so that you may achieve everything your election as a child of God provides; rise every time to whatever occasion may come your way." (O.C.)

Yesterday, my hair dryer would not turn on. I checked the outlets, thinking the breaker may have been tripped. That was not the case. So, I marched very heavily down the stairs to get our old hair dryer that I keep for guests in my son's bathroom. Back up the stairs and into my own bathroom where I plugged in my back up hairdryer. My back up was not working either! I very frustratedly grabbed my keys and headed to WalMart to buy a new one. After finding one that I wanted, I went back home and finished getting ready for my son's parent/child soccer game. I was a cheerleader for my boys. My husband and son were in this playing together. During the game my husband lost his wedding ring. Frustrations that happen to us on a daily basis. Frustrations that can interrupt our entire day, if we allow them. Frustrations that are so small, but can blow our whole example of how we are supposed to be able to find peace in Christ.

"You did not do anything to achieve your salvation, but you must do something to exhibit it. You must “work out your own salvation” which God has worked in you already (Philippians 2:12). Are your speech, your thinking, and your emotions evidence that you are working it “out”? If you are still the same miserable, grouchy person, set on having your own way, then it is a lie to say that God has saved and sanctified you." (O.C.)

I have had college girls ask me, "Why do I need to believe in Christ? I see your friends and they are not happy. I see the struggles they are going through. I need to know that I am going to be taken care of. How is He helping them? I have seen you loose it, over very little things. How is He helping you?" Ouch!

Don't get me wrong. None of us are perfect, but it is our daily living that speaks. We have others who do not know Christ, who are watching us. Can they watch us go through a struggle and see that there is something different holding us up? Can they see us and want our peace? Do my children see me throw a fit over a broken hair dryer? It is in the small every day struggles where we loose our whole witness to our children, and others. Most outsiders see us loose it only in the "big" issues, but they still see us loose it.

"God is the Master Designer, and He allows adversities into your life to see if you can jump over them properly—”By my God I can leap over a wall” (Psalm 18:29). God will never shield you from the requirements of being His son or daughter. First Peter 4:12 says, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you . . . .” Rise to the occasion—do what the trial demands of you. It does not matter how much it hurts as long as it gives God the opportunity to manifest the life of Jesus in your body.

May God not find complaints in us anymore, but spiritual vitality—a readiness to face anything He brings our way. The only proper goal of life is that we manifest the Son of God; and when this occurs, all of our dictating of our demands to God disappears. Our Lord never dictated demands to His Father, and neither are we to make demands on God. We are here to submit to His will so that He may work through us what He wants. Once we realize this, He will make us broken bread and poured-out wine with which to feed and nourish others." (O.C.) This is a call for me, for all of us to see the bigger picture. Can we see what that is, even in our trial today?