Friday, February 14, 2014

Frustration






You don't truly know someone until you see how they react to their bag of chips getting stuck in a vending machine.





I have been known to voice my frustration while kicking,  shaking the machine and trying to run my hand inside the machine to get my bag of chips  which tells you I really like chips and can become frustrated when a machine holds onto them. 


Frustration has been  building lately and not because my bag of chips is stuck in the machine.  It's because we have to move again, just when I was really getting settled.  After a few angry outburst  I realized I better start exercising some self control before I end up kicking someone or saying things I shouldn't.  A look at some familiar scriptures brings my frustration to a halt. 

I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me (I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self sufficient in Christ's sufficiency.   AMP

We need to learn this scriptural principle that the Holy Spirit works in us to enable us to live lives pleasing to God.  He does not do the work for us; rather, He enables us to the do the work....As I depend on Him, He enables me to live a life pleasing to Him.  Jerry Bridges.

A frustrating life is not pleasing to Him because it reeks of not trusting Him in all things.  Moving for some may not hold frustration but for me it unsettles me and through the cracks of my feeling unsettled my flesh begins to seep through and spill onto anyone who is near.  Moving is such a small thing in light of issues others are dealing with but if I compare it only drives me deeper into the flesh where condemning self lives,  then I don't deal with my own sin and repent.     God does not look at my frustration over anything and condemn me.  I love the fact in all the versions I read on Philippines 4:13 they all use the words, "all thing."  Everything we become frustrated about fits into the "all things", everything, even that bag of stuck chips. 
 

What is your bag of chips today? 



38 comments:

  1. Hi Betty,
    Moving is tough. Praying you will make it through this move with energy and strength. Hoping the new place will be even better then the one you are at now.

    Blessings and Happy Valentine's Day.
    <><

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  2. Are you moving to a new house or a new town? Moving is hard, especially when you feel settled in and want to stay. I hope your move goes smoothly and that no one is kicked in the process. ;)

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  3. I have moved more than I would like but each one was necessary A few were ones I did not choose. However, in every one I see God's hand. I know it is a cliche but He does have something better for you.

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  4. Thanks child of God for your comment. I keep thinking He is going to give us another group of people to witness too, that keep me from being frustrated.

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  5. Karmen, we are moving to another apartment or condo which ever comes available but will be staying in the same town, thank the Lord. They sold the condo we have been renting. HOnest the root of my frustration is I wish we could buy our own place. After living in two third world countries, we have moved about 28 times. Such is the life God has called us too. Now we are stateside serving still with our mission and I am just tired of moving anywhere actually. It so funny I remember being so excited over the first 25 moves, it's the last three that have been hard, could be my age or so my doctor says. I chose to write about it because it does help for me to see in print and know others will read it that stirs my heart to be right before Him. Blessings my sister.

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  6. Bill, you are so right which is why hindsight is almost perfect. Insight is perfect so I have ask the Lord to give me some insight into my heart over this issue, again just want to be in close fellowship with Him. Frustration gets in the way of the relationship. Thanks for the comment brother.

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  7. Betty,

    Wow, tell me more about this move. What's promoting it, and where are you headed? I'm sorry about the frustration of it, and can relate to your unsettling feelings about it. We are facing that now too, after only 20 months or so in this new home. Odd, sad, and yet we can see God working this through, and can see his kind heart in it. Doesn't mean that we are looking forward to boxing things back up again though, and aren't still praying for God to help us find our next home too.

    Thinking of you tonight from MN,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  8. First of all, I had to laugh when I saw the photo. I could imagine myself doing that as I love chips, too! I would probably try to do the same if the bag was caught. LOL.

    But not funny when it comes to moving. My husband and I had moved only twice and it was a lot of work. So with you doing that for nth time, I could feel your frustration. I just pray that this time will be an easy process for you and that whatever the Lord has from this chapter will eventually be revealed. Take care sister and God bless and protect you always.

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  9. Jennifer...three years ago we moved from Papua New Guinea to Kentucky our home base. Due to a ministry change we then moved to southern California. Rented a cute little condo but the owner sold it recently so we are looking for a place in the same area so this one will not be a huge move. I think age is catching up with me concerning moving, I dream about buying a home, staying put, our kids coming to visit us, having a place to put up missionaries, all the good stuff you know. We have two more years of our four year commitment and then I think we will move somewhere back east when we retire. But who knows, I never in a million years thought we would someday live in California. You could think I had this nailed down after 28 moves and could breeze through it without any frustration. ONe thing I have learned there is no arriving on this earth, one must always contend with the flesh. Thank God just writing about it helped me drop some last lingering frustration. As I wrote the scripture out and the quote the Lord dropped calmness into my heart, He has my back in this.
    Another things I know for sure it's the little things that really do steal the joy from us, it seems the bigger the trial the easier it is to depend. It's the small little frustrations that eat away at our soul. Thanks for your understand comment my wise sister. I will be thinking about you as you make your move. Will you be staying in the same area or leaving for another state or region of Mn?

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  10. I chuckled when I first saw the photo too Rosel. It is usually with the things we want the most and can't get that brings frustration. Thanks sister for the prayer. I think I have been a little frustrated because we could not afford to buy the condo ourselves. Insecurity surfaces in me when it comes to not having a set place to call my own here on this earth. We have been more then willing to be sojourners for Him all over the world and never felt insecure. But for some reason just coming back to the US at our age with nothing to call our own has been my hardest part. Sojourners never put their tent stakes deep, and that how God has had us live for almost 30 years. Thanks God there is the promise of a home in heaven, a place with there is eternal rest and eternal peace. Thanks for the prayers.

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  11. I can get frustrated in my parenting efforts but then I'm reminded of God's patience with me and that helps.

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  12. I bet you and your wife are great parents. We have never regretted taking our kids to Bolivia and opening their world a little bigger. They are both less judgmental about other cultures because of what they were exposed to. Next to marriage parenting is over the top for frustrating. My husband always says one my a long term vision when working with young kids. Thanks for the comment brother.

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  13. hey there. my email address is nance.mdr@gmail.com can you send me yours?

    nance

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  14. This is great! I just penned a post about the same thing! Standing on the broken hearted side of the glass of the vending machine! Wow. That's not a coincidence.

    Seems we get tested in areas that are closest to our hearts. I completely understand not wanting to move. Being settled feels pretty good.

    I've pounded on vending machines more often than I can recollect… only a couple of times did the item in question actually fall to the bottom.

    I know that our Father has someplace better for you, one that is in His will. I pray your love and wisdom in this matter and a wonderful new home to be used like only you can, Betty. I'm praying for you… We're all on the broken hearted side of eternity, sister.

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  15. Hi Betty! I'm so sorry you have to move...it's such a pain. You certainly described how hard it is for you to do too.

    My bag of chips these days are my shoulders. I have one thats 'frozen' and one with ligament swelling. Yay! Getting older sure is fun.

    You will be in my prayers Betty. I pray you will find a wonderful place to land, and that it will be as painless as possible. Keep us up to date!
    Ceil

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  16. Floyd,I think can envision you pounding on the chip machine.

    The pastor of the church we attend usually somewhere in welcoming people says, this a church of broken people. I think that may be why we have stuck there...we fit in with broken people.

    Thanks for the encouragement on the moving. After a couple of melt downs God begin to bring peace into my heart, or should I say, I let Him bring peace. We are all sojourners in this world even if we think we are dwellers. I have been singing that song, This World is Not My Home, I'm just a passing through a lot lately, changes my perspective every time I sing it. Blessing brother.

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  17. Ceil, thanks for the encouragement and I will pray for your shoulder too, I hear that is pretty painful.

    We are doing some packing today and already conflict has come due to me and my way of doing things just doesn't sit well with others. I am a little to organized for my own good and don't like to keep things we have not used in years. I just keep telling myself, breathe Betty, breathe, it will be over soon. Again thanks for the encouragement.

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  18. You know me so well. I thought no one was looking! I am frustrated by the things that are supposed to work that don't -- like computers.

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  19. David, oh don't even get me started on computers. Thanks God I have a patience husband who can usually fix all my computer problems. He is pretty good at staying calm with me during the process of moving but I know he wonders will she ever get use to it. I can honestly tell him, no, the only one I won't complain about is that last move I make to heaven. Thanks God I won't have to take a thing from this old earth.

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  20. I hate to loose good money in a machine, or in a pay telephone long ago. I dialed O for operator and she pushed a button and said, did you get your money back. I looked inside, and said, "I sure did and then some." God knew I needed all those coins that came tumbling out. She said, Have a good day! And I did.

    Sorry about the move and May you move to the perfect place.

    Thank you for sharing your frustration story with us here at "Tell Me a Story."

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  21. It's hard when things don't go the way we want them to go, isn't it? But, we can count on God to be right by our side even when things are frustrating. He'll strengthen you and calm your fears. Who knows? Maybe your best adventure yet will be with this move...

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  22. Hazel you always encourage me with your blog stories. I am with you sister, I hate to lose money to those machines. I will go to a worker too and ask them to get my money back, this is stuff is high in those machines. Have a good day .

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  23. Joan, now that was a good thought, this next adventure may be the best one I have ever had and I have had plenty. I do know where this frustration comes from, insecurity that tells me if I could stay in one place for the rest of my life I would be insecure, what a lie. Security comes from Him who does know what this old woman needs. Bless you for coming by my site.

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  24. Moving is tough. When my dad passed away we helped move my mom four times in three years! That was very unsettling for her, and it was hard on us all.
    I will continue to pray for you.
    Thank you for sharing this inspiring post. I've been a bit frustrated lately, but God is so loving. He gently reminds me that He holds the whole world in His hands. My little issues are just that- little. He can handle them. I simply must trust.
    So easy and yet so difficult at times.

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  25. Hi, ahhh ministry moves? Two more years, you said? May this one go smoothly. No, we hope to stay in the same area, just need to move due to incoming road developments, etc.

    Re your comment on my post "They're Singing Your Song," thank you. Ahh, I imagine PNG was beautiful, and warm too. :)

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  26. TC I appreciate your prayers. My mother is in a nursing home and even when I take her out to eat she is a little disoriented when I take her back. The nurses tell me the things that helps the residents the most is the same routine. It is true for I never use to get unsettled but I sure do now. It's like my mind won't go through the process quickly.

    It comforts me too knowing He wants to ease even my little frustration and will when I just trust Him in all things, big or small. Today we put a deposit on an apartment that both Ace and I liked. Now comes the actually move and because I like to start early I have already given away a ton of stuff to the thrift store. I do think this move will be easier since we are staying in the same area and I already know my way around. And I have a little patio to sit on in this nice warm weather in southern California. Blessing my sister.

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  27. Jennifer, a praise, we found an apartment Ace and I both like with a little patio which makes me happy. He is over there now turning in our paper work. Thank you for praying.
    Yeah we have two more years of our commitment and can stay another five years after that if we want to continue in our ministry. We do not have to retire from our mission till we are 75 and we both hope our health would hold up till then. Our time spent traveling to visit couples and single home for furlough has begin to pay off. They have went back to their countries and said, you will love Ace and Betty, easy people to talk to so in this way I understand why our mission wanted a four year commitment. If we only had another young life to give. Actually our prayer is we will be able to encouraged others to the mission field or at least open their eyes to bigger world and the lost in it. Thanks Jennifer for the encouragement, praying for your move to...

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  28. I totally love this analogy!! And I get the moving thing! I came over from The Wellspring.

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  29. Thanks Mary for stopping by, I visited your site too. I think I have found another courageous wise hearted woman whose site I will visit again. Blessings.

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  30. Such a great analogy Betty. We all have our little bag chips that we like to hold onto don't we?

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  31. Thanks for stopping by Wanda. Always glad to meet another sister in the Lord.

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  32. Hi Betty,

    Moving next week? Wow, may it go smoothly, friend. The porch/deck sounds nice. :)

    Re your comment on my post "Intersecting Plotlines," no, those are plotlines I observed around me at a coffeeshop I get to spend time at once a week. It's fun to people-watch, isn't it?

    Thanks for stopping in,
    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  33. Jennifer, through the years we have spent tons of time in airports and what has kept sane is people watching. God sometimes sits someone next to me that is open for a conversation about Him. That makes up for all the waiting we have to do.

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  34. Betty,

    People-watching in airports is one of my favorite places to do that.

    How exciting of God to bring both a new men's group into your husband's life, as well as kind people to help you guys move! :) What a sweet God, huh?

    Jennifer Dougan
    www.jenniferdougan.com

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  35. Betty,
    Moving is tough...and your chip analogy made me chuckle...thankful God can handle our frustrations and He loves us through them...praying that God gives you encouragement and strength as you move...you are a real trooper...I admire your faith.

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  36. Thanks Dolly for the encouragement. I have had an amazing life, lived in places that are off the map beautiful. And collected such Godly people as friend. We have four more years before we retire and THEN I think we will settle somewhere for the rest of our life here on earth. Until then I am blessed with some great blogging friends who I look forward to meeting in heaven. Blessing sister.

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  37. Thanks for visiting my blog (A Bench with a View) and your kind comment. I am so sorry about your upcoming move; having moved a lot over our married lives, I do know it can be frustrating and unsettling and physically demanding. I pray it will go smoothly and adjustments to your new area will be minor ones.

    betty

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  38. Hey Betty. I can relate to the feeling of being unsettled. I'm not a lover of disruptions to routine and although I do like some occasional spontaneity and change it certainly doesn't apply to every area of my life. It definitely wouldn't apply to moving house.

    It is so good though, as you say, that the Lord makes grace available to help us. Loved this line you wrote: 'He does not do the work for us; rather, He enables us to the do the work' So true.

    I'm really curious though as to where you're moving to and why.

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