When I am annoyed by events and people out of my control; when I feel that upleasant irritated feeling like fingernails on a chalkboard, only, well, more annoying; when just the sight or sound of some annoying someone approaching my airspace sets off an inner blaring siren, I have lived long enough to know it's all a mirage. I’m being distracted, or distracting myself, away from the only real problem I face.
I'm not saying that there are no problems but the one affecting me emotionally this moment. In truth there are billions, if not more, problems swimming around. They just don't happen to be my problems. Especially not right now. Like stray cats and dogs, stray problems are always on the lookout for a new home.
Dont ever feed them or invite them in.
Let's Review.
Those people who you think are annoying you? They aren't the problem and they are not annoying you.
Those circumstances you are facing that are messing with your tranquility? They aren't the problem and they are not messing with your tranquility.
All of it, every bit, is going on inside each of us. It is our interpretation of life that is our annoying problem. You are the one annoying you. You are trying to see the world in a way that is leaving something vital out.
What might this be?
You might think I'm thinking God. That's close, but too vague.
Here’s a question. What about God is more personal and more specifically designed for you and me, as individuals -- each with his or her set of specific problems?
It’s your story about your relationship with God. It is what he means to you and why. It isn’t platitudes, it’s specifics, the things you would share if you were asked to give your testimony. This isn’t about how you are doing, but about how you are doing with God.
Now assuming you have experienced a conversion that has resulted in you receiving an unexplainable peace, joy, and bonding with Jesus through what he did for you on the cross, then the story you will share is essentially your explanation of the gospel. In other words the true gospel is God’s love story with you. It is rooted in history but is also as relevant as the life you are living right now. The gospel as you understand it is evidence that you never walk alone and all the problems you face, especially the really annoying ones, are a part of his recovery plan just for you.
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise?
Where is the scribe?
Where is the debater of this age?
Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”