Before I Even Get to Angry

This week I've encountered a major frustration that has really thrown me for a loop. It's one of those things where you feel like you get the short end of the stick and you didn't even know there was a stick in the mix! I'll admit, a few ugly words have gone through my head to describe the way I feel I've been treated, but I'll refrain from sharing those here in print. Suffice it to say that I'm frustrated.

And that's exactly the lesson I'm taking away from this: admitting frustration helps to diffuse anger.

You see, this is one of those times when I honestly do not want to get angry. I love the people involved in this mess. I truly want the best for them. I don't want to win. I just want this dilemma to go away. But I also want to be treated with respect in the middle of it all, and I don't feel that I am being. So there's the rub.

But because I've been so determined to steer clear of anger, I've put into practice some basic principles that, I dare say, I often neglect. Instead, I often let my frustration build and explode into bona fide, red hot anger. And I realize that some anger is justified, especially if your anger is ignited by injustice to another or in defense of things holy. But my anger in this situation would only be fueled by self-pity and self-defense. Also, anger in this situation would probably last way past bedtime.

So I've tried this time to keep communication clear and active between me and my God this time, allowing Him to walk me through my emotions so that together we can manage them.

Here's how I'm trying to handle my frustrations so they never even get to "angry."

We all get frustrated at times. Whether we've been mistreated, things aren't going as planned, someone misunderstands us and communication seems impossible, or other people just "aren't cooperating," we all encounter frustrating times. It's part of life. It's part of the test of life. 

I want to pass the test. And I want to keep my relationships in tact, as much as is possible with me. And I want to honor my God, the One who said He would never leave me or forsake me. I want to be Christlike on the bumpy roads as well as on the smooth ones. Don't you?

I'm not just asking your opinion today, I'm asking for your help. I'm still hurting. That's another word I've been using in my constant stream of prayer lately -- "hurting." So I could definitely use your encouragement and your words of wisdom. 

What do you do when you are frustrated, deeply frustrated, with a situation? I'd love to know.

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