Hassles

<<irritations>>

Some annoying stress-creating inconveniences are preventable by forethought and planning, or reduced by gaining more experience, while others are an unavoidable part of life in a sin-blighted world and broken society. However, all are an opportunity for us to allow the outworking of God’s grace as we display the fruit of the Spirit and develop Godly character with resilient perseverance (Rom 5:3-5; Gal 5:22,23). Trials allow us to experience the love of God because He has permitted these challenges in love and is working for our benefit. We know He loves and desires the best for us in theory, but in the heat of the battle, we must work this out in our experience through our attitudes, words and reactions. These unplanned and unexpected irritations, with their unsettling influence, generally infiltrate our whole personality and throw us ‘off-balance’ until we regain our composure and take control of the situation. Satan sees when we are under pressure and most vulnerable to temptation, with the greatest likelihood of making unwise choices. Hassles always seem to come at the most inappropriate time, and as they interrupt our plans, our self is not ministered to, robbing us of peace.

Having a positive, overcoming attitude helps – one that doesn’t resign to a ‘poor me’ mindset. The story is told of a donkey that fell into a dry well. The farmer couldn’t get the donkey out, so he thought he would put the donkey out of its misery by burying it with dirt. Shovel after shovel full of dirt was thrown into the well. The donkey shrugged the annoying dirt off its back and stomped on it. Eventually, the level rose sufficiently, enabling the donkey to walk out of its predicament. The moral: don’t allow yourself to be buried, but rise victorious because of the irritations of life.

Paul had his share of life challenges, being “hard-pressed on every side but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed” (2 Cor 4:8).

When hassled, do I turn to or away from God

Rather than explaining your problems to others and thinking about what is against you, focus on who is for you, being confident that He is greater than what is against you (Rom 8:31; 1 Jn 4:4). Remember, Jesus is walking with you through this (Heb 13:5). In humility, call unto Him for His help, ‘I can’t do this alone’. Have a confident belief that it is all working together for your ultimate good, which may only be revealed in eternity (Rom 8:28; Phil 1:16). “Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial” (Jas 1:12). We must recognize that the hassles we encounter are designed to bring us closer to the Lord, grow us and prepare us for what else might come in our future. As believers, we should actively pursue spiritual maturity, a deep reverence for God and demonstrate our salvation through obedience, without complaining or arguing, and be blameless and pure, shining as lights in a dark world. God works within us to fulfil His good purpose, giving us the desire and the ability to act according to His will, making our outward behaviour a reflection of His work (Phil 2:12-15).

Non-believers have hassles too, which should drive them to discover Jesus, the meaning of life.

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We wish you well in your Christian life.

On behalf of the team,

Bill