One of the drawbacks of being on home assignment this year is not sticking to my routines. This includes posting entries to this blog. So the following entry I wrote about ten days ago, but although those frustrations are now ended (see the picture at the end of the blog), the lessons being learned continue.
Have you had some experiences that just seem to move from one frustration to another? Where the frustration with the situation compounds upon itself day after day? Or with another person? If we are honest, we know that we have each experienced this and furthermore we have almost certainly been the cause of this frustration to others. I know I have been multiple times; even regularly.
So how do we cope? And how can we redeem the situations and more importantly the relationships? Currently I am trying to work through this as we do a home remodeling project. Why does the paint not match? Why would you install a towel rack so it is not level, even to the eye?
I have been reading Proverbs as part of my daily bible reading and I picked it up when my frustration was at its height. Here is part of what I read,
“A man’s wisdom gives him patience;it is to his glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11, NIV)
and again
“A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty;if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise.
Many are the plans in a man’s heart,but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:19-21, NIV)
Does this mean we should be “doormats” who are walked all over and taken advantage of? No, in fact it is clear that we need to be strong and not give in, but we must not be ruled by our emotions. Instead we need to not speak the frustration as we feel it but instead calmly and patiently give voice to our concerns when the moment is right.
Easier said than done! But that is part of growing in wisdom.
And eventually the bathroom was finished (with matching paint and level towel racks).
