It's Not Fair

It's not fair.  That was the main thought running through my mind last night at work. So as that thought and some other familiar favorites ran through my head I got more aggravated and annoyed as the night wore on.  I feel like these things are on some type of track in my head.  Round and round they go, like a model train around a Christmas tree.

So of course, after about 6 hours of this kind of thinking, I lost my temper.  Oh great there goes my witness, again.   I would try to focus my mind on doing my work for the Lord.  That would last for all of about 3 minutes before my mind went back on the model train track, one more trip around the base of that tree!!

So, lunch time and more crying out to the Lord.  I really want to change this ugly pattern of thinking, but for some reason I am stuck.  I picked up a new devotional I received for my birthday, "The Power of Being Thankful", by Joyce Meyer.  I needed to do something in my head besides complain  LOL.  And the title of the day's entry......"The Importance of Right Thinking."  LOL  The Lord is too funny and too spot on!!

Let me give you some lines from this devotional:  "The mind is the leader or forerunner of all actions.  The steps we take each day are a direct result of the thoughts we allow ourselves to think."   Well, yeah.  And the more my thoughts went in the wrong direction, the more they mixed with my emotions and pride.....well the outcome was sort of inevitable.  Joyce went on to talk about how many of our problems are rooted in "wrong thinking patterns."  And that is exactly what it feels like.  I told a friend last night if I could just get rid of that phrase, "It's not fair", I would be halfway to victory in this area.  And I swear, we learn that phrase right after we learn the word "no" as a child!!  I imagine that is how God sees me...as a little child, stamping my feet, whining, "It's not faaaiiiirrrr!!!"

You know, things are not always fair.  And they are not always right.  In fact in this world I think we see the opposite of fair and right a lot more than we should.  But I know God calls me to live above that kind of thinking.  And I really do want to change.

God gave us some teaching in that area in His Word.

James 4:7  Therefore submit to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

1 Corinthians 10:13  The temptations in your life are not different from what others experience.  And God is faithful.  He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.  When you are tempted He will show you a way out so that you can endure.  

James 1:12  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

I want to look for that way of escape promised in the Word.  That is my goal for work tonight.  To look for God's exit plan for me from the negative thought patterns and the temptation to act upon them.  I may not be 100% perfect, but I will celebrate whatever success I have.  And I am grateful for the times last night I did do my work, "as unto the Lord."

Thank You Lord, for another lunch time visit.  As cold as it was outside my truck, the warmth of Your love penetrated my heart and soothed my spirit.  And once again, with patience you teach me.  Help me to remember and put into practice Your teaching.  All glory, as always, to You.