I’m so annoyed…some days this phrase seems to be on repeat in my head. I found myself wondering, “Is that a problem? Should I replace it with a different phrase?”
In my helpless situation, people try their best to help me but everything is difficult.…Even listing the annoyances is annoying. The list would be endless, mostly revolving around problems with my body, not being able to communicate, and my situation in general.
One day in middle of all the annoyances, I began to wonder …”How can I positively deal with this? It can’t be healthy to constantly feel annoyed so how can I maintain peace when I experience this.” After thinking, research and prayer, this is what I came up with. Maybe it will help you too.
Each moment I have a choice to move back into peace and to practice contentment and love. It is healthy to acknowledge the pain, discomfort, unfairness, etc. but it is not healthy to let it fester. Instead, I choose to give God my need and my feeling. If I realize I am overreacting, I also evaluate if there is an old wound that is being triggered and ask God to heal the wound in my soul. I pray forgiveness toward the one who is bothering me and ask God for His grace. Then I shift my focus. I find things to thank God for and take time to worship Him. It takes practice, but gratitude always elevates me and if I take the opportunity to turn from annoyance or anger to worship, it strengthens my spirit, brings me back into joy and develops patience endurance. I also try to bless the person who has offended me and choose not to hold the offense. I also try to evaluate and problem solve and do annoyance mitigation.…What is in my power to change? I can take responsibility, i.e. if hair is tickling my ears, I should just get a haircut—problem solved.
There are always things to be annoyed or offended by and the more you focus on the problems, the worse life seems. Choosing to meditate on scripture, like the ones below builds my spirit and makes me stronger to face the challenges of life.
“My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.” James 1:2-4 TPT
“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.” Colossians 3:12-15 NKJV
We cannot control all situations and definitely not people. You may not even be able control your body if you are paralyzed or injured or have a neurological condition like me. However, you do have authority over your thoughts and inner choices and attitude. It is important to develop resilience, choose forgiveness and blessing and abundant life. A person can calm down and re-focus even though it is not necessarily easy. …breathe, thank God, relax (the inner ability to quiet your thoughts and emotions), meditate on scripture, listen to music and watch things that will act as a catharsis or elevate you out of the pain. Getting in nature, color therapy and even aromatherapy are also very helpful to lift your mood.
Every day, every moment, we have the opportunity to develop our character and draw near to God. To reposture our heart; to respond instead of react; to remind ourselves of our blessings; to demonstrate compassion and courage. It takes practice and conscious choice as well as listening and yielding to the Holy Spirit. He is the Comforter, our constant companion, the Wonderful Counseller, the Prince of Peace. Whether it is big problems and trauma or multiple small annoyances that we encounter, these principles can have a profound effect on how we get through our difficulties.
Having grown up in the Pacific Northwest, Natalie has a fierce independence and wild adventurous heart. Nat has always been a hands-on person with a love for life, beauty and celebration. She has a degree in horticulture and training in music, carpentry, interior design, floral design and life coaching. Natalie spent time as an intern at a church and went on several ministry trips to places like the Philippines, Japan and India. She was involved heavily in music over the years with several orchestras, choirs and worship groups. She has also dabbled in many things including beekeeping, welding, machinery operation, large quantity cooking and gardening. She loves learning and trying new things. She thrives by being in the outdoors and enjoys making music with friends, preparing and eating good food, contemplation and communing with God through prayer, worship, dance, and journaling, or as she calls it, musing. Right now she is writing music and poetry and is in the early stages of writing a book. She hopes to be healed so she can go on to do many more things…travel, beekeeping, starting a farm and training others in practical ways to become their best selves with life skills and inner freedom.
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