In the South we have a phrase that appropriately describes the way one might feel after returning home from a wonderful trip to many demands of many people:
"I only have one good nerve and you are about to get on it!"
You see when mama is away, the little people tend to play. Chores sometimes only get half done. Wet laundry gets left in the washer for days and stinks to high heaven. And the drying rack that mama treasures because the dryer sins against all things with shrinkage possibility, gets broken into six pieces.
Not that I came home and started complaining or pointing these things out or letting any of this get on my VERY LAST GOOD NERVE. Or anything like that.
For all three of you that can identify with getting frustrated with those you love the very most in the whole wide world, there is hope.
I'm learning there is a silver lining to every frustrating experience. Every time I'm pushed to the point where I want to raise my voice and let my head spin around three times, I have to see it as an opportunity to let God interrupt my natural way of responding.
These can be a growth opportunities, if I chose to react God's way instead of my way. But oh what a battle this can be!
My feelings say, "Yell! Scream! You should be stinkin' mad over this!"
God's spirit in me says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath. No good can come out of losing your temper."
But then my feelings say, "Oh no ma'am. It will make you feel so much better to just have a little hissy fit."
God's spirit in me says, "What might feel good in the moment will just pile more turmoil and yuck on this situation."
Ephesians 4: 29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the holy spirit with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ God forgave you."
Why is this so hard to do?
I remember seeing June Clever on the TV. Nothing got on that woman's nerves! She was always responding so gently with, "that's okay dear."
I'm convinced June had none of the Italian blood that I have coursing through my veins. But I'm also convinced that with God all things are possible. And even if you have fire cracker blood like I do, there is one thing that has helped me more than anything in the staying calm department...
pausing.
When something happens that triggers an instant rise in my frustration, if I can pause just for a second or two, God can interrupt my natural response and redirect me.
If I respond instantly, my natural reaction can be so ugly sometimes.
Pause.
It's a wonderful thing.
Pause. God will you help me?
It's a redirecting thing.
Pause. God will you show me?
It's a growth thing I'm slowly learning.
Pause. God will you grow me into the woman I so desire to be?
Pause.
"I only have one good nerve and you are about to get on it!"
You see when mama is away, the little people tend to play. Chores sometimes only get half done. Wet laundry gets left in the washer for days and stinks to high heaven. And the drying rack that mama treasures because the dryer sins against all things with shrinkage possibility, gets broken into six pieces.
Not that I came home and started complaining or pointing these things out or letting any of this get on my VERY LAST GOOD NERVE. Or anything like that.
For all three of you that can identify with getting frustrated with those you love the very most in the whole wide world, there is hope.
I'm learning there is a silver lining to every frustrating experience. Every time I'm pushed to the point where I want to raise my voice and let my head spin around three times, I have to see it as an opportunity to let God interrupt my natural way of responding.
These can be a growth opportunities, if I chose to react God's way instead of my way. But oh what a battle this can be!
My feelings say, "Yell! Scream! You should be stinkin' mad over this!"
God's spirit in me says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath. No good can come out of losing your temper."
But then my feelings say, "Oh no ma'am. It will make you feel so much better to just have a little hissy fit."
God's spirit in me says, "What might feel good in the moment will just pile more turmoil and yuck on this situation."
Ephesians 4: 29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the holy spirit with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as Christ God forgave you."
Why is this so hard to do?
I remember seeing June Clever on the TV. Nothing got on that woman's nerves! She was always responding so gently with, "that's okay dear."
I'm convinced June had none of the Italian blood that I have coursing through my veins. But I'm also convinced that with God all things are possible. And even if you have fire cracker blood like I do, there is one thing that has helped me more than anything in the staying calm department...
pausing.
When something happens that triggers an instant rise in my frustration, if I can pause just for a second or two, God can interrupt my natural response and redirect me.
If I respond instantly, my natural reaction can be so ugly sometimes.
Pause.
It's a wonderful thing.
Pause. God will you help me?
It's a redirecting thing.
Pause. God will you show me?
It's a growth thing I'm slowly learning.
Pause. God will you grow me into the woman I so desire to be?
Pause.
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