How to Deal with Stupid People, etc.

"If monotony tries me, and I cannot stand drudgery; if stupid people fret me and little ruffles set me on edge; if I make much of the trifles of life, then I know nothing of Calvary love."

If:  What Do I Know of Calvary Love?  ~~ by Amy Carmichael

It is not uncommon for all of us to encounter little irritations and annoyances, in varying degrees, throughout every day of our lives.  Some of these things we can resolve simply by using logic and reasoning to come up with a solution or a way to "fix it."  Other "little ruffles" just kind of hang on and won't let go, and then we are  "stuck" thinking about them and pondering what we are going to do  until we become rather discouraged.  Unfortunatey there are other "trifles of life" that actually become the focus of all of our time, thoughts, and energy.  

We sometimes even become overwhelmed with the enormous weight of some of the difficulties that come into our life.  That is the honest evaluation of life on planet earth!  We all struggle, we all stumble, we all fail, and we all become worn down with our daily encounters with monotony, drudgery, "stupid people," ruffles and trifles.  Our weariness and emptiness are very real, and cannot be underestimated.  But I have discovered that it is possible to focus on what I have and not on what I do not have.  Not always easy, but possible.  That is the gift of grace and strength that is available through Calvary love. 

We must never discount the struggles, or the "little ruffles" that others are dealing with . . . . God doesn't.  If God thought that all our little irritations in life were irrational and foolish, He certainly would not have cared enough to provide a means for us to discover joy and peace in the midst of all of that "junk."  So our grief and struggles, large or small, are important to God.  Which is precisely why He has made it possible to walk through those places of frustration, anxiety, sadness, and just plain irritation with grace and confidence BECAUSE of Calvary love.  It is not just one more thing that I have to put on my TO DO list, and it is certainly not something that needs to add to my load of guilt if I don't get it quite "right" . . . . but it is a truth that I must try to remember.  I am not alone, walking through this "swamp" that sometimes is the reality of my life.  I am not alone because of His great love.  Calvary love makes it possible to find joy even when the storms of life are upon me.  Possible, but not always easy.  I'll remind you if you'll remind me! 

Visit the other IOW participants this week at Patricia's blog, Typing One-Handed.  Then, leave your link so we can come and visit you and read your thoughts on this quote.  Have a great Tuesday!    ~~ Nina

 

 

 

Comments

[Patricia]

Great! >> If God thought that all our little irritations in life were irrational and foolish, He certainly would not have cared enough to provide a means for us to discover joy and peace in the midst of all of that "junk."

Remembering this would save a lot of needless stress we put on ourselves when we lack patience in our ruffles!

Thank you for participating!

PS: You left a 't' our of your link. Please go in and correct it so everyone can enjoy these wonderful words.

[Miriam Pauline]

"I am not alone because of his great love." Amen and amen! What a great post on keeping perspective. Bless you!

[Nicole Kelso]

WONDERFUL post for today! You're right. It is so easy to swell on the "trifles" and wrong things of life when we go about it with the wrong perspective.

[Missie]

"If God thought that all our little irritations in life were irrational and foolish, He certainly would not have cared enough to provide a means for us to discover joy and peace in the midst of all of that "junk.""
Wow! Doesn't that thought just make life better?
Thanks for sharing!

[Karen Gillett]

That is the gift of grace and strength. Well said. Thanks

[Tami Boesiger]

Thanks for reminding us we don't have achieve this alone. What a relief!