When you stay in step with the Spirit, frustration, and disappointment no longer win the day!
The day started like any other. An early riser, I spent my first few hours writing, steeping in Scripture, and sitting with the Lord. This routine readies me before I step into my busy day of caregiving and general living. But, not long after that, I veered from my well-grounded start into an ugly grind.
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly a series of frustrating events can separate me from God’s spirit. First, it was an outage on my blog. Then, since this was a reoccurring issue, I raced into an online support chat to get answers. Unsatisfied with the response, I exited the chat and completed the feedback survey. Suffice it to say; I acted in an exceedingly unJesus-like manner. Just trying to be honest here, folks.
After that, I headed out for a grocery run which only fueled my frustration. Due to the pandemic’s lingering supply chain issues, I couldn’t find several items. I know I’ll find them in another store, but that did nothing to abate my annoyance. As I put my groceries away, I felt my energy and attitude deflate like a week-old balloon. Normally I’m a highly motivated person, but all I wanted to do at that moment was sleep – for the rest of the day.
Getting Back In Step
It was well into the evening before I realized I wandered away from God’s Spirit. My impatience and lack of grace ground my body and soul to a halt. Yet, I knew what I had to do next – come clean before the Lord and confess my sins. That’s when Psalm 51:10 renewed my heart and put me back in step with the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit Affirmation
Within the hour, my renewed spirit bore fruit. Glancing at my Facebook feed, I noticed a comment on one of my Faith4Caregivers posts. Not an extraordinary thing on its own. But this was a post from 9 months ago! So here is the life-affirming comment:
Words matter, every encouraging post counts. I [Nicola] searched guilt and this [previous post on guilt] popped up. After so many posts your encouragement is still helping others. God bless you.”
Nicola Royster, fellow caregiver and Facebook contact
Stay In Step With the Spirit
It’s human nature to feel disappointment and frustration. Unfortunately, we have all wandered down the path of acting out on these feelings. But like me, I wonder if you also felt depleted and discouraged by your behavior? Fortunately, the way to resync with the Spirit is simple. First, we come clean through confession. Then we let God renew our hearts. Finally, once we’re back on track, we match our steps with God’s Spirit and feel the rightness return.
Spirit of the Living God, we want to live in step with You, but too often, our sinfulness causes us to stray. When, not if, this happens, meet us where we are, and remind us of the way back. Create clean hearts within us, and renew us with the rightness of Christ, again and again. Amen.
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Like you said it is ‘human nature’, the way you recovered is more Jesus’ nature… We all have those days, sadly we often don’t get back on track like you did. You’re an inspiration Cathy!
Our Jesus nature – I like that! It’s not an easy place to reside consistently, but at least we know how to find our way back, right?
God is so good giving us help in so many different ways, when we turn to him. So sorry you had such a hard day, but am very grateful your faith pulls you back into the Lord’s beautiful presence and peace.
So grateful for the Spirit’s reminder to get back on track!
Frustrating experiences can snowball into a terrible mood and a bad day, often times taking frustration out on those closes to you. This is a great reminder that staying tuned into the Holy Spirit is where you will find grace, peace, patience needed for the trials of the day.
Absolutely! We just have to be aware that we’ve wandered away and answer the call to return.