Giving Up My Right to Grump (Choosing Joy)

Have you ever been disappointed by something?

Do you feel justified in your grumpiness, that "funk" that you find yourself in?

For a moment, you should allow the feeling, as it is real, but please please don't stay there.

I found myself fighting a few disappointments in a row and the temptation to stay there was real. God, though, through His Spirit, was gently speaking to me at each turn of events, each silent moment.

The cancelled babysitter, the unanswered phone call, the unanswered text, and then an hour later another set of unanswered calls and texts, and another hour later? Again.

What is it about knowing somebody could communicate with us that creates such angst when we don't get a hold of them?

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" (NLT)
"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." (NIV)

Isaiah 26:3 is such a good tool to combat this crazy, frantic feeling that starts to come up from within!!

I need to trust in God. Not in my phone, not in another person's phone. I need to fix my thoughts on God and what is really important, not the wild musings of my imagination that jump to conclusions on a whim.

Pretty soon, if you fixate on "why haven't they responded", you will be in a stinky, smelly "funk".
Don't let it happen. Get up, get on with it and just trust that you'll eventually hear back.

Maybe, like in my case, "all circuits are busy".

That's right. I tried calling, and nothing worked. Except the voicemail. When the missed calls and texts were discovered? "All circuits are busy."

Thankfully, we have a landline for backup and I received a call.

By that point, I had calmed down, and had received some of that precious "peace that passes all understanding." (Philippians 4:7)

When we make a chOICE to REspond with Joy, we "RE-J-OICE". We make a "joy" choice.

This is a step in the journey to heaven that is well worth taking. Whether yours is a baby step or a giant leap, be encouraged to step!

~Tammy