Last Monday (9/30), Linda related this story to me. She was running a little late for work compared to her usual time. Due to some bridge construction, the way to work that she has to travel now takes her over a railroad crossing. Typically, she misses the train, but on this day, because she was running late, she arrived at that crossing as the bars were going down. And so, she asked herself, “How long can it take?” She watched and waited. Ten minutes into her wait, she was becoming impatient. She had many reports and emails to send out right away in the morning and these were going to be later than she liked. And so, she asked again, “How long can it take?” She realized it was going to take a while, as the train had stopped and began to back up.
And then she began to laugh. Not sure at what, but her whole attitude began to change. She started to count the number of train cars. She began to note the different kinds of cars. She looked at the different works of graffiti on them. She tried to decipher what some of them were saying and also took note of some very good artwork. Eventually the train, after going backwards started to go forward. Twenty-two minutes in total after she stopped, the train was gone and she was on her way to work. A typical seven minutes’ drive took twenty-nine minutes that day. But that experience and the laughter of that moment changed her attitude from frustration to joy that lasted the whole day.
This is often our life. Things don’t go as we planned. Frustration and impatience build. What we need is an attitude adjustment. We need to look at things differently when we are in the middle of it. It is not something to get upset about and worried or frustrated. Often the situation is just what it is. There is nothing you can do to change it. And so, we need to think differently and Paul gives us advice. Philippians 4.4-7, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Remember, he was writing this from prison as he was waiting for a trial before Caesar which could and did end his life.
And so, when we find ourselves in those frustrating situations, let’s not get all worried and frustrated, impatient and even angry. Instead let us rejoice in the Lord, even laugh. Let us focus on the good things of life, the blessings from God and thank him for all things. Paul tells us if we do that we will have peace in our hearts that transcends our understanding.
In Christ Alone.
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