LORD OVER THE LITTLE THINGS


We all have days when the wheels fall off and every little thing that can go wrong does go wrong. Often our biggest problems are those little problems that keep adding up to frustrations, irritations and then a very bad attitude.

The apostle Paul says dealing with these frustrations is actually and acid test for your Christianity; it is what separates believers and unbelievers in the eyes of others. Philippians 2:14 states, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.”

If Jesus isn’t Lord of the little things in your life, then, he’s not really Lord. Your faith isn’t as much determined by what do or how you perform in service to the Lord, but it is how you act on Monday morning.

If you’re sinking in the pool of frustration ask yourself first, “Am I to blame?” The Bible declares in Galatians 6:7, “A man reaps what he sows.” Often we bring on our own frustrations. There is no one else to point the finger at but ourselves. We’re simply reaping what we’ve sown. Start with being honest with yourself. For example, people are grumpy toward you because you’ve been grumpy with them.

Next ask, “What can I learn from it?” Romans 8:28 proclaims, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Use the irritation to develop your character. An irritation gives you an opportunity to be more like Christ. Think how would Jesus respond to the irritation you’ve been dealing with? You grow in the fruits of the Spirit by being exposed to the opposite situations. If God wants to teach you peace, he’ll put you in chaos. If God wants you to learn love, he’ll put you around an unlovely person. You can learn and grow in any situation only if you’re willing to let God change your attitude.

Also inquire, “What can I thank God for in the situation?” In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 it says, “In everything give thanks.” Notice the text doesn’t say give thanks for everything. The Bible says to give thanks in everything. You don’t have to be thankful for a bad situation; however, you can be thankful in it. You can thank God when you realize that he’ll take that negative situation and turn it around for good.

After asking yourself these questions, pray for God to fill you with His love. The Bible teaches us that love is never irritable. It’s also always self-giving, not self-serving. We get frustrated and upset because we think everything revolves around us. Love concentrates on the other person. When God fills you with His love, you’ll put others first and find frustrations losing their impact upon your life.

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