Take a breath
Psalms chapter 100 verses 1-3.
"Shout with joy before the Lord, O earth! Obey Him gladly; come before Him, singing with joy."
Try to realize what this means---the Lord is God! He made us---we are His people, the sheep of His pasture."
We can never know where frustration will attack us next. We are people who live on the edge in a world that keeps our guard up, watching closely for the next out burst or unwanted comment. We try to be friendly, we try to treat people with respect. We approach strangers with kindness and a willingness to share stories and we feel good about who we are and what direction our day is going. Yet someone ignoring our hello, can get our thoughts playing all sorts of games with us. Or when you are trying to talk and the person you are talking to is preoccupied with all sorts of other things. The Pastor spoke of getting frustrated with traffic, budding in and ignoring proper driving etiquette.
Instead of letting his frustration grow and fester into further anger and possibly endangering others, He thought of what Jesus would do. He prayed for help and understanding. He felt the onset of bad feelings and turned them over to God asking for help and guidance.
The outcome was backing away. The outcome was to not let those who mistreat you, be taken seriously. Maybe people are dealing with things that you do not know about. So do not let the joy of God in your heart be replaced by clouded vision. But say a quiet prayer for them and ask for His love and joy to be your focus.
When we walk in the presence of God, trusting Him to guide us, then our thoughts are on Him. We are totally aware that He is with us. Wherever we go, in all conversations, in all places and in all situations, He is there. That is why we act as His children, giving Him the honor and respect He deserves.
And children do make mistakes, blurting out the words that could offend or misreading people and making quick judgments. God knows this happens and guess what He is still there. He shows us how to correct our thoughts and brings them back to the joy of His loving forgiveness. So when things are getting to you, when you feel the onset of sadness, loneliness, frustration or anger---call out to God, call out to Jesus, or call out to the Holy Spirit and instantly you will feel refreshed.
Thank-you Father for your love, peace and joy. Thank-you for Jesus. 😊
Psalms 100 verses 4 and 5.
Go through His open gates with great thanksgiving; enter His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name.
For the Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and His faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.
James chapter 2 verse 23.
And so it happens just as the Scriptures say, that Abraham trusted God, and the Lord declared Him good in God's sight and he was even called "the friend of God"
Psalms chapter 117 verse 1.
Great is His love towards us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. "Praise the Lord"
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