Frustration

            Frustration.  Anger.  Irritation.  Belligerence.  Annoyance.  Some of the devices used by the spirit of Anger to inhibit us from walking with Christ, daily.  As I write this, I'm actually attempting to unwind from a frustrating situation and seek the peace of The Lord.  While outsourcing from God, I feel compelled to write this post to serve you all with what you might be feeling.
            Speaking from my personal experience, this is how I've learned to handle these types of situations.  When I begin to feel upset or angry, I find the first thing I should do is to calmly remove myself from the presence of those upsetting me.  Check.  Now I would love to say that I immediately meditate on God's word, but sadly I am a flawed human so instead I find a way to outlet to calm myself, first.  For me, a soothing activity would be writing.  Check.  Finally, being that I'm calm now, I can choose a word from The Lord to meditate on.  At this point, it gets personal because the word you choose has to be applicable to who you honestly know yourself to be or who you know yourself to have been.
            Growing up with a father who was as abusive as he was neglectful, I harbored a lot of anger and hatred in my teenage and young adult life.  Having never experienced a father to look up to, talk about sex with, go to when I was hurting, I found myself constantly complaining and venting about my issues.  Ultimately, I developed a bitterness in my heart for my father and anyone who seemed to resemble him.  Now fast forwarding to me receiving The Lord in my heart in 2012, I stumbled a verse in the Bible.  This would be the very first of many scriptures I would come to engrave in my heart:

"Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end."

–  Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

            I remember the first words I told myself after reading this: "What?  I ain't no fool!  These venting and complaining habits stop today!"  Yep.  And just like that I was convicted by the spirit... or maybe my pride.  But nevertheless, ever since that day I would continue to pray and ask The Lord for quietness, peace and patience in my spirit in trying situations; And He gave me just that.  Today, I am a very patient and understanding individual.  But don't get it twisted, I still lose it every now and again (like today).  I am human after all, but now when this happens my nourished spirit can kick in, convict me and bring me to a place of peace.  

            After I am at this place of peace, I analyze the incident with a sober mentality and I am able to discern what went done and how to handle it correctly.  Be mindful to set your pride aside while doing this, for we tend to immediately analyze how RIGHT we were.  

            Now when we attempt to find resolve with a spirit of humility, we could be surprised to find that we may have been overly defensive, overreacting or plainly in the wrong.  Should this be the case, it is best to admit our wrong and ask forgiveness of whomever we may have offended.  This scenario usually ends with a understanding conversation and things to learn from the encounter; if not, then humbly and respectfully exit the situation when possible.  Now should you humbly analyze the situation and find yourself in the right, put yourself in the opposing party's shoes and figure out how and why they might've felt as they did.  Then approach them lovingly and express your understanding of their feelings.  People just want to be understood, this is just a fact of life.  If you show that you took the time to understand them and their feelings, they'll tend to become sensitive to understanding where you were coming from.  And always remember:

"Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides.  You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors."

–  James 1:2-3 (NIV)

            So let these tests show us our boiling points in order to make gradual and consistent strides of growth in this spiritual walk.  Hope this served you as it did me.  God bless you.

With Love and Blessings,

Cease The Messenger