|
I consider myself a patient, forgiving person. I try to help and care for others, hopefully encouraging them in their walk with God. I seek love and peace and serenity. All until my Internet service goes out.
We are changing our Internet Service Provider (ISP). With all we do in this ministry, the former one is far too slow. New programs require more bandwidth. Current ones no longer function. Attempts to upgrade result in pop-up messages that suggest I am a fossil. So off to a new ISP who promises...MORE.
To date we have spoken with 2 schedulers, 2 technicians, 1 customer service representative, 1 supervisor, and 1 manager. Each has told us something completely different, even saying the others didn't tell us the truth. We now await a call from a field representative. Excuse me while I scream.
Here's the problem---we have not yet met the person who knows what we need and understands how to provide it. Everyone has been nice and assured us that he, she, or they were telling us the absolute truth. And we believed that, right up until we spoke to the next person.
This morning as I pondered my woeful tale, I talked with God about what should be done. My suggestion was that He smite them. We don't use that word much these days but it seemed appropriate in this case. God, however, began to remind me of lessons I'd already learned.
A gentle answer turns away wrath. A harsh word stirs up anger. Anger can be cruel and fury overwhelming. A wise man keeps himself under control. In your anger do not sin. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Be kind, compassionate, and forgiving, just as in Christ I forgave you.
I want people everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life I desire. (see Proverbs 15:1; 27:4; 29:8,11; Ephesians 4:26,31-32; 1 Timothy 2:8; James 1:19-20)
"So, no smiting?" I asked.
"No smiting."
On September 18, 2007, Randy Pausch, a professor at Carnegie Mellon University, gave his last lecture. Afflicted with pancreatic cancer, he assembled students, colleagues, friends and family to share insights on...well...not so much about life as about how to live that life. One concerned frustration, difficulties, and anger whenever we run into that brick wall. Paraphrasing, this is what he said:
Brick walls are there for a reason. They aren't there to keep us out. Brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something. Brick walls let us show our dedication.
The times we become angry are our brick walls. Frustrating situations, unhelpful people, bad advice, those who continually tell us "NO," their failures as well as our own-these are bricks mortared into the walls we encounter in life. Our brick walls give us the opportunity to discover how much we want to follow God and to show others our dedication to Him.
Praise to the One and Only God, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).
| 
