Irritation: Overcoming Life's Annoyances with Godly Perspective
Our inner peace and contentment can be robbed by many and varied causes, leading us to expend emotional energy on negative aspects of life rather than focusing on what is constructive and beneficial.
Understanding the Root of Irritation
The overall reason we experience irritation is often that we are not being ministered to as we think we should be (Mt 20:28). Many things are outside the sphere of our influence to alter, so the change must be in us – to accept this as part of God's loving process to outwork the grace and character of Christ in our lives (Gal 5:22-23). Our character is refined by the situations of life if we respond to them in a positive, constructive way.
Don't allow something small to be blown out of proportion into a huge crisis because remedial action wasn't initiated in the early stages. With things, you can have some control over, calmly address the issue with a right attitude, to seek a favourable solution or negotiate a possible compromise (Lk 18:1-5).
How do I react to irritations?
Responding with Godly Wisdom
Instead of being agitated and stressed out over the annoyances that are part of our life on earth, try to see them from God's perspective. Our feelings should only be indicators of our emotions and not dictate the course of action. We are being perfected by the imperfections of others. "Love is not easily irritated or annoyed, is not touchy…" (1 Cor 13:5). "Greater is the person who controls their spirit than one who takes a city" (Prov 16:32).
Don't let life's challenges cause frustration and make you bitter, rather allow them to transform your life into something far better
through what you are experiencing and the Godly responses you make. The renowned Serenity Prayer says:
'God grant me the courage to change the things I can,
Grace to accept the things I can't,
And the wisdom to know the difference.'
The Transformative Power of Irritations
If responded to correctly, irritations provide the potential for an increase in sensitivity to the needs of others, besides an opportunity to develop inner qualities in us which will assist Him in achieving His highest purposes in us. A pearl (something of great worth) is created in an oyster as its way of dealing and overcoming an annoying irritant – a worthless grain of sand inside its shell. How do I respond to irritating things that appear in my life?
Reflection and Application:
- Is my hope and expectancy fixed on Christ, confident of His power to help achieve the desired victorious result?
- Bring yourself closer to God and thank Him in all circumstances (1 Thes 5:18).
- Identify a possible personal cause – something you did or did not do (1 Cor 11:31-32).
- Consider what qualities God wants to develop in you through this situation (Mt 5:3-12).
See also: anger, attitude, challenge, character, conflict, feelings, frustration, not being ministered to, positive mental attitude, self-control.