I woke up frustrated…
For starters, I did not sleep very well. I had some nightmares. Then, after getting out of bed, I decided to check my social media accounts. Post after post, I kept reading comments of people tearing each other down for their political beliefs, their stance on certain issues or even their personal opinions. Over and over again I saw a very polarized image of who we have become as a society. I decided instead to turn on the news but once again I saw more of the same. After a few minutes of this, I went back to social media.
I got more frustrated. I got more annoyed. And then I decided to join in. (Not my proudest moment).
I could feel myself getting more and more frustrated with every comment and every response. I could feel myself getting more and more upset. Eventually I had to stop and walk away from that conversation. I needed to catch my breath.
I sat on my couch for a second, but I still felt frustrated. I poured myself a cup of cold water and walked around the kitchen but I still felt upset. I was running out of options, so I decided to grab my bible, go to my desk, and turn on Christian music.
After a few minutes, I felt myself become less irritated. I would read a bit, then pause to reflect and take notes. I would pause at moments to listen to the music and reflect on the words that were being sung. The longer I sat there the less frustrated and upset I became. Before I knew it, I had completely forgotten about the frustration I had felt. I felt better, more at peace, and ready to start my day.
As I reflect on this experience, I am reminded of Psalm 143:6 (CEB) that says: my whole being is like dirt, thirsting for you.
How true was that for me this morning. My annoyance had nothing to do with the stuff on social media or the news. My annoyance didn’t even have anything to do with the fact that I did not sleep well. I used all of this as an excuse to justify my frustration.
What was really happening was that my whole being was thirsting for God. My whole being was longing for an opportunity to center myself around God; to refocus myself on what really matters.
I don’t know what you are going through this week, but I hope that you can make time to listen to your thirst for God. Doing so can help you overcome the sense of frustration that you may be feeling. Maybe you can turn your radio to the Christian station on your way home today. Maybe you can find a daily bible verse online and spend a minute reflecting on it. Maybe you can stop whatever you are doing right now and spend a couple of minutes taking deep breaths and saying a prayer to God.
Whatever you are going through today, I know that our whole being is longing for God and the only way to quench that thirst is by giving our beings over to God.
I pray that you may give yourself time to do so today. May you find that just a few short minutes with God a day can completely reshape your day and what happens in it.
Together on the journey,
Pastor Fernie
