Upset

 

 

People. Sometimes they surprise you, go out of their way or the extra mile, just to do what is good and what is right. On the other hand, people can upset you, inconvenience you, alter your plans in a not so appreciated kind of way. Those you love, those you are learning to love, those you do not even know; this week my agenda was “rerouted” by several of these kind of people.

 

It is not really about the people. It was not the fault of my two year old that his self taught lesson in physics (the law of gravity when a salt shaker is inverted on the kitchen table) occurred right after I had swept the kitchen floor. It was not the fault of the employee at the disposal of a client with displaced anger, that the disgruntled client has met with such heartache and hardship in life. It is not the fault of the customer service representative at the call center that the particular malfunction of my product is not covered under warranty. Still, sometimes when we get upset, we get upset at people. Other times, we get upset with God.

 

We are not the first to feel this way.

 

“All this has come upon us, though we have not forgotten you, and we have not been false to your covenant. Our heart has not turned back, nor have our steps departed from your way; yet you have broken us in the place of jackals and covered us with the shadow of death.” Psalm 44:17-19 (ESV)

 

Which is just another way of saying “It’s not fair!!”

 

As for me, when I am honest, I can forget God, at least who is He is, and who I am in proportion. I have forgotten His Eternal, Almighty Glory and that He created me for His purpose and pleasure (not my own). I have forgotten that even so, my purpose and pleasure are full…. in Him.

 

When I remember that it is not about my will but about His glory, and that He can use all things for His glory (Romans 8), I am not so upset that my plans got upset.

 

The problem is not outward, it is inward.

 

The solution is not outward or inward, it is upward.

No need to be upset. Hit reset and look up.

 

 

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.”  Psalm 42:11 (ESV)