What frustrates you?
Bob McLellan

Do you ever find yourself getting a little annoyed, frustrated, upset, angry or hot under the collar?

Do you find that the intensity of your response increases as the day progresses or the number of stressful situations multiply in an endless round of ...?

There are certain things, pet peeves, which seem to aggravate us more than others and these are often personal and different for each individual.

Casual observation indicates that the number and intensity of peoples' negative reactions to circumstances around them is increasing.

There are more and more instances of road rage resulting in violent confrontations that have lead to injury and death being reported in the media.

People who coach children's sports teams and referees and officials of those sports take a great deal of verbal abuse from dissatisfied, parents and fans. time to take an inventory of our lives, attitudes and actions to make sure that we do not allow people, events, schedules, or anything else to cause us to say or do anything that we would later regret.

What bothers us one day, when we are in a hurry, have a headache, are facing a deadline or some other pressure may not bother us on another day.

If we do not keep our cool and control our tongue and body language we may find people around us asking, "what is his/her problem today?"

How we express ourselves in the daily routine of living provides the basis upon which our character and reputation is judged.

If we allow our emotions to dictate our responses to life's situations on a regular basis, building up frustration and irritability, it will have a negative impact on our relationships with those around us.

Our reputation will be tarnished and we will be labeled as someone to be avoided whenever possible.

Many of the products that we use on a regular basis in our daily lives have systems built in that monitor and make adjustments so that the product performs at peak efficiency.

Problems quickly develop if that monitor becomes faulty or stops working.

Sadly, many people operate their lives with no mechanism in place to monitor what is happening inside.

I am not talking about physical organs, but that which make up the spiritual components of the heart and life.

When we just react emotionally to what is happeni n g around us, without thinki n g through the consequences and damage to others and our self, problems will occur.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew chapter 15 that what people see and hear from us has come out of our heart and is an indicator of what we are like on the inside.

We need the help of the Holy Spirit to monitor and adjust what is going on inside and to warn us of coming problems so that we can avoid those outbursts and melt downs when life´s pressures and irritations begin to build up.

Jesus said the Holy Spirit would be our Counselor or Advocate, who would guide us if we would give Him such permission.

Unfortunately, there are occasions when rather than listen to the cautions and warnings of the Holy Spirit, we put the pedal to the metal and speed ahead rather than stop or reverse the direction we are headed.

What frustrates you and causes you to react without thinking?

Once identified, ask God for the Holy Spirit's help in monitoring and making life changing adjustments.

Those around you will be glad you did.