If there’s a frustration more annoying than overly complex or—worse—incomplete instructions, I’m not sure what it is. Automated answering systems, perhaps? “Your call is important to us. Please listen carefully to . . . blah, blah, blah.” That’s why I so appreciated this serene simplicity from a New Zealand-based company: “If the GPS has been recently used, you should get a fix almost immediately. If it hasn’t, put the GPS outside with a clear view of the sky and have a cup of tea.”
That, in a nutshell, sums up the Kiwi (New Zealand) way of life. Get things done. But when you can’t, enjoy the moment in the best way possible.
Paul and Silas were experiencing no small amount of frustration in Philippi. A fortune-telling slave girl kept disrupting their efforts to share Jesus with the people. The source of her power was demonic, so Paul exorcised the demon. Infuriated, the girl’s masters had Paul and Silas tossed into prison. “The jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks” (Acts 16:24).
That didn’t stop the two. They didn’t rage, rant, or complain. Instead, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening” (Acts 16:25). They made the most of the moment and extended their ministry even when they were behind bars. Their divinely interrupted incarceration—“all the doors . . . flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off!”—led to the conversion of the warden and his entire household (Acts 16:26,34).
When obstacles, interruptions, and frustrations impede our idea of progress, that’s a pretty good time to “have a cup of tea” and look for the new thing God is about to do. He can turn our frustrations into praise.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Judges 7:1-25
More:
Read John 16:33 and consider Jesus’ promise when your frustrations mount.
Next:
What situations frustrate you? How can God turn your times of frustration into something worthwhile?
lha2017 on March 9, 2017 at 12:33 am
Life is supremely frustrating to me 24/7. These days, if it’s possible for something to get on my nerves, then it probably will.
I have no peace. I am out of patience. So right now, Paul and Silas’ decision to sing and stuff after going through all that makes no sense to me. It’s amazing, and completely a Spirit-led exercise! (Though I am with Paul on the annoyance concerning the girl. I don’t know how they put up with her for so many days. Maybe they were trying to discern if she were Spirit-led or not..?)
tim gustafson on March 9, 2017 at 7:58 am
Ah, my friend, I am preaching to myself on this one! I don’t know if there is such a thing as balance in life, but there is real peace, and it only comes from the Holy Spirit. Thanks for your candor in this forum!
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 11:13 pm
Yeah, that’s what I was wondering , why they let this go on for so long without saying anything!!
Gary Shultz on March 9, 2017 at 5:47 am
Hi Tim: It used to be men could throw most instructions away, but with technology you have to at least save the help number. Yeah, I think they (Kiwi) have the right idea; however, like frustrated “lha2017” you have to do a few checks as to why life is continually frustrating. Fortunately we do get a large instruction manual, and a 24/7 help line with life. Life is supposed to have problems, how would others see how we respond? How would we be drawn closer to our God. Paul and Silas were that focused, and that sold on Jesus, that an extremely bad situation was recognized as an opportunity. That began to crack the whole area for Christ. I don’t know what different people face, but we can be sure there is reason and hope; to look through the trail and look for the blessing, the purpose. Life takes on a different view, even in trials, we begin to expect God’s work to break through at some time, maybe longer than tea. Thanks Tim
tim gustafson on March 9, 2017 at 8:00 am
Gary—Preach! Good stuff. I don’t do very well with the patience thing, so I’m REALLY grateful that God does. He’s so very good to me!!
Gary Shultz on March 9, 2017 at 6:15 am
Tim as for yesterday, yes I do need to repent! I am often convicted about my driving and I have to tell myself to at least not to be a noticeably aggressive driver. As you probably know too, to do the speed limit in some situations is to take your life in your own hands. So I’m shooting for moderation in all things, a quite and peaceable life. I may have to cut off my right foot to obtain glory or ride a bike. If you can believe this, I have already exceeded the speed limit on my bike. I do need help.
tim gustafson on March 9, 2017 at 8:04 am
Yesterday I actually found myself praying for peace during the drive to work. And guess what. It worked! Instead of saying, “WHY did that driver have to pull out and not get up to speed right away—in THIS traffic?” I thought, “Well, Lord, I’ve driven cars like that in the past.” And I also enjoyed the sunrise! Pretty spectacular. 🙂
gagirllive on March 9, 2017 at 8:14 am
Hahahaa! Now that doesn’t exactly sound like a prayer for peace, Tim. But I’m sure it was an improvement for you, so I’ll give you that much. Smh (shaking my head)…judging that driver’s slow car…tsk! 🙂
gagirllive on March 9, 2017 at 8:01 am
I really like this, Tim. Reminds me of the slogan, “Keep Calm and Carry On”. That’s what Paul and Silas did—they kept their single-minded focus on Christ and carried on with the business of glorifying Him no matter the circumstances. I see it as the difference between reacting and responding. In times of frustration—minor and major—we have a choice to react to the people/situation going on around us or respond to God. In essence, it’s a matter of yielding either to our flesh or to the Spirit. As for me, I often whisper a simple prayer throughout the day that I would keep in step with the Spirit. When frustrations arise—and they most certainly do—I sense a “check” in my spirit telling me to respond to God in the situation. But surprise, surprise!—sometimes I just don’t want to. 🙂 Sometimes I just want to react because in that moment it’s all about me and my right to vent. And after I do that, I am reminded once again that I can’t manage myself. I NEED a Spirit-filled/led life. Yielded to His influence, I give God plenty of opportunities to work His wonders…in me (where I mostly need it) and around me. So whether we take a “chill pill” (that’s how Americans say it) or have a tea time like the Kiwis and Brits, the bottom line is that we’ve got to learn how to keep calm and carry on with the business of glorifying God when faced with frustrations and pressures. God has given us everything we need for life and godliness. Let’s use it. Praying we all keep in step with the Spirit today. Appreciate this from you, brother Tim. Grace and peace, fellow travelers. ♡
tim gustafson on March 9, 2017 at 8:10 am
GG, I can so relate! I think of all the good things I could do for God if only … if only what? If only people weren’t in my way??? Um … that’s when I’m missing the whole point. Does God find me frustrating? (Answer: Yes.) How I respond to frustrating people and frustrating situations shows how much I’m letting or not letting the Spirit guide me. Grace and peace right back at ya!
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 10:59 pm
Yes Tim, you’re so right! The key is letting the Spirit guide us, cuz if we try to guide ourselves, we just make more of a mess of our lives, then we start wondering, okay, what went wrong, at what point did I try to take over instead of letting God lead me. Patience is a virtue I really wish I had more of and when I went for more X-rays today, I kinda got the feeling that God is going to show me how to be much more patient than I have been. The problem with patience is that I want it now!!! All I can do now is hope and pray that everything is still okay!!
hsnpoor on March 9, 2017 at 8:00 pm
Amen & pass the peace, GG! You are so right! How we react is definitely a choice and we, of all people, have the power to make the right choice more often than not. If we can’t get on the peace train for our Lord (think about that), do it for your health. Living a life of frustration, impatience and worry is simply shedding years off your life and making you ill. It’s sort of like unforgiveness whereby you concoct and drink the poison and expect the other person to die. Just doesn’t work like that, now does it?
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 10:52 pm
Amen GAgirl, I can so relate to this!!
godlove on March 9, 2017 at 10:04 am
I find it truly awesome that although they were subject to unjust and unjustified incarceration, Paul and Silas didn’t spend time protesting loudly (and they would not have been wrong to do so), but simply kept trusting God and lifted the situation up to Him through prayers and singing of hymns. They didn’t just sit around in jail having a figurative “quiet cup of tea” moment, waiting for God to intervene, they actively sought His help and our God who never fails was quick enough to act as spectacularly as He did, opening prison doors and causing chains to fall off, and also bringing about the conversion of more souls in the process. Great lesson that we must seek help from the Holy Spirit in us, to always use times of frustration to actively seek God, and He will surely intervene in ways we can’t even imagine. Thank you for this nice devotional, Tim.
And great thoughts all over, thanks Gary and gagirl, I’m blessed by what you shared here.
hsnpoor on March 9, 2017 at 8:04 pm
And, I’m blessed by your comment, godlove! It reminds me that whatever happens to and with me, it’s really not all about me, is it? I’m just a small part of HIS story and His story tells me he loves me dearly and whatever my circumstances, He’s in control and will work it out for my good and his good pleasure. My part is to believe and act accordingly.
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 10:54 pm
Amen Kim!!!
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 11:05 pm
I really need to work on that one! It’s not about me or what I want or what I think is fair or not fair, it’s about what God wants for me to do for Him and let Him lead me where He wants me to go.
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 11:02 pm
Thank you for the good word today godlove! They could have spent time having a pity party and woe is me, but by singing praises to God and trusting Him with the situation, they set a good example and showed everyone that they were not giving up because God never gave up on them. He just used them for His purpose and glory.
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 10:50 pm
I would say that if I lean on God when I am frustrated, He will overcome my frustrations, and give me the peace to know He is always there in control. I’m leaning on the everlasting arms.
hsnpoor on March 10, 2017 at 1:02 am
Amen!
sandy229 on March 9, 2017 at 11:12 pm
It’s really frustrating for me when I have to sit around doing nothing while I heal and see all the things that need to be done and not be able to help, so this has been quite as lesson for me. My hubby waits on me hand and foot it seems, and just tells me to relax and stop trying to get up to get something when I can easily ask him to get it or text him if he is not in the room at the time. I do get up and try to hop around with my walker until I hear this voice, what do you need? Why didn’t you ask me? My hubby has been wonderful to me through all of this and it was nice at first, but the longer this goes on it seems the more frustrated I get unless I just talk to God and let Him show me what He wants to teach me during this time of “Be Still and know that I am God”. Then I get cards and phone calls from people from my church telling me to just follow the Doctors orders and be patient. I am learning.
hsnpoor on March 10, 2017 at 1:09 am
GF, how often do you have a man not only willing, but wanting to wait on you hand and foot?!! Are you nuts? Sit your behind down, smile and say thank you, Terry! You are just the best hubby ever”! You’re happy, he’s happy, I’m happy for both of you, everybody’s happy! To God be the glory!
sandy229 on March 10, 2017 at 10:06 am
You’re right Kim. Thank you.