I seem to learn more about myself the more I am around the people that I help each day. A lot of days go by that are very difficult. Different situations, different people…Personality and character conflicts, and more. Each offers its own challenge. In the previous months I just got frustrated and blow up at the issue and even at the mention of the issue. I am trying to take a different approach (key word being: trying) to the day-to-day issues that life throws at me.
My lovely wife and I were talking the other day about my work. I had gotten fired up about something that was going on (or wrong), and after a bit of rambling on about being upset I just told her that I was going to shut up and spare her the details of my frustration. Not because she didn’t care or didn’t want to hear it, but because it wasn’t edifying to her nor to the individual and issue that I was discussing. There was a long silence (about 10 minutes)…nothing. Not a noise or phone or anything. Then, my lovely spoke these gentle words (and I do, very truly, mean gentle)…”Sweetheart, I love you…no matter what. You are a great husband and wonderful dad. Your character is stronger than this. Here, read this…” Then she handed me a book and I went off to read it for a few minutes.
She was SO right. Now, instead of blowing up at a situation or issue or whatever, I wait. Sure I still get frustrated and I want to blow my top, BUT I just try to wait until the issue has come to a close (I usually facilitate some quick closure) and spend some time going through what made me so frustrated. What caused the issue? Why did I react that way? What pushed me to be frustrated? or What made me more patient with this person and not that person?
This has seemed to make a little more difference in how I am dealing with my family and also with my work. I find myself getting less angry…less often. Which is good all the way around.
So when life is throwing you a fastball of angriness. Just wait, be patient, and consider your heart in all of it. Is God really proud of the way that you handled these issues? Does your attitude and your heart reflect true Christlikeness?
I hope so. I pray you don’t have to learn this. I hope that you already know how to deal with all of life so that you don’t have to go through this. BUT if you do, just know that you are not all alone. There is at least one other person that is going through the same exact thing.
Prodigal Thinker 