Feeling frustrated lately? I can relate.

Heading out to meet a friend for lunch, I get into the car, turn the key, and nothing. Not even a click. While contemplating my next move, a cranking noise from the CD player about startled my hair gray.

Why is it my CD player refuses to play CD’s, yet comes alive when the battery goes dead?

l have to admit, at times my emotions can be as cranky as my CD player.  I’d like to think I’m ready for unexpected calamities, ready to react all super-spiritual-Christian-like. Then reality hits. I’m human and I can’t control my reactions on my own. I’d better be prayed-up, cause as soon as I think I’ve got it altogether, I’m in trouble.

So how do we react when the unexpected happens? How do we react when someone stomps on our feelings, or worse yet, hurts a family member or friend?

We’d like to believe our sinful behavior is as dead as my battery was; then anger, pride, and a defensive attitude drags us three steps backwards.

So let’s not be all super-spiritual, when what we really need is the supernatural. The Holy Spirit. He teaches us what we ought to say. He is our Helper. We sure do need help, don’t we?

He not only teaches us what to say, He helps us control the things we shouldn’t say. God knew we needed Him, and God supplies all we need. Even a supernatural muzzle.

We’re in this together, so next time Satan lays a snare, let’s try this:

• Pray without ceasing. Call on the Name of the Lord, He hears us. Longer prayers in our prayer closet, and shorter ones throughout our day. We can talk to God anytime, anywhere, and better yet, all the time and everywhere.
• Remember God is for us, not against us. That dead battery may be for a good reason. Why? We may never know, but that’s not important. The key is trust.  Let’s trust God and His plan.
• When hurtful words are hurled in our direction, walk away and walk it off.
• If we’re not able to walk away,  let’s practice the fruit of the Spirit called self-control, our supernatural muzzle. Deflecting hurtful words by using hurtful words? That’s sin. Let’s not go there.
• We may say we welcome feedback, but what about when it’s constructive?            Instead of allowing our defensive Star-Trek force field  to rise up around us, assess the words. Do they have merit? If not, keep praising God and allowing truth to defend us. God loves justice. He is our defender. Surrender to the Defender.
• If we believe we are never wrong, something is wrong. We need to take responsibility for our part. Is our first reaction to shift blame? Be honest. This is not including abusive behavior towards us. That is never acceptable.

When those unexpected emotions jump out like guests at a surprise party, tell them the party’s over.

What has thrown you into a tizzy lately?

Here are a few verses to encourage you:

Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.                                                                                                                   Romans 6:11 NASB

Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.                                                                                                                                 Proverbs 12:16 NIV

For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace.                                                                                                            Romans 6:14 NASB

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name,                          He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that                       I said to you.                                                                                 John 14:26 NKJV

How do these verses speak to you?

If you don’t know Jesus personally, please take time to read the “Meet Jesus” page. He is standing at the door of your heart, gently knocking. Open the door and experience new life.

Love in Jesus, He is The Way

Doris                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®  All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.