Editor’s note – Most of us keep a running list of things that grate on us: slow phone menus, rising prices, red tape that fails the people it’s supposed to help. The author walks through hers with humor, starting with an oversized grasshopper in her yard, and ends up somewhere better – with the question of what Jesus would do with all of it. That turn is why we’re running her piece.
It Started With a Grasshopper
“What in the heck is that thing?” I asked my husband the other day when he asked me to come look at something in the yard. We were cleaning an Airbnb in Saltillo, Tennessee, when we found this insanely huge bug walking around the yard. When taking its picture with my phone, I told it, “Don’t you dare fly up into my face!” but it turns out I didn’t need to tell it that because I found out it couldn’t fly. It’s called an Eastern Lubber Grasshopper, and it’s the largest grasshopper in North America, growing up to three inches long! However, you wouldn’t want to pick it up because it defends itself with a nasty-smelling, foamy, toxic secretion. It’s a pest because at this time of year (middle August) the female is full of eggs, and when they hatch, these things will eat your flower or vegetable garden up in a hurry! But the good thing about it is that it inspired me to write this article, so maybe you’ll get a laugh or two out of it.
I don’t mean to complain, but …
Good grief, what is this world coming to? I never thought I’d see the day when I’d need a QR code to view a menu or go through ten minutes of phone prompts before reaching the person who handles appointments. I’m sick of having to create an account for everything on the internet, then forgetting I signed up for it after it auto-charged me when the 30-day trial ended. And the gas prices- oh my goodness, the gas prices! How can anyone who makes minimum wage afford to buy gas for their car these days? My heart goes out to them.
My heart also goes out to the young lady in my Small Group who can’t get on disability even though her medical condition clearly warrants it. I’m against fraud and waste too, but for Heaven’s sake, government, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! Hey, public officials, I’m voting for the folks who show they really care about those who are truly suffering out here! Get out of your plush, air-conditioned offices, drive around town, and see what’s going on. Really see the trash all over the streets, the homeless and the hopeless people. I think people are dumping their trash everywhere as a passive-aggressive way to show their feelings. Maybe this is also why so many people are running red lights these days.
And another thing that’s not only bugging me, but is making me furious is all the swearing I was subjected to while watching the new Spider-Man movie. Why they have to take the Lord’s name in vain so much in a kids movie is beyond me.
Editor’s note – The disability example she raises is a real one. Systems meant to help people sometimes fail the very ones who need them most.
Ok, so now that I’ve vented a little bit …
So, what do we do? Do we all write articles on various platforms to vent our frustrations? It may help temporarily, but what about the long run? Do we just give up? Do we start riots? Do we march on the White House lawn? I know some people have done that, but did it help? If so, how long? For a start, I know what some Christian friends of mine would do; they’d ask themselves, “What would Jesus do?” I know that probably sounds like a tired old cliché, but is it really? Seriously, what would Jesus do if He lived today? (Which He does, by the way, just in Heaven, not on Earth).
Well, I think He would start by telling us all to read our Bibles more, and not just rush through the passages. He’d tell us to sit and think about ways we could put the lessons we learn from the Bible into practice in our daily lives. And I’m preaching to myself most of all here. I vow every morning to try and do His will, but more often than not, things don’t turn out that way. But I’m still trying.
Editor’s note – Asking what Jesus would do only helps if it sends us back to Scripture itself, read slowly enough to actually shape how we live.
Conclusion
I know there are a lot of fine people trying to do the right thing, but if you’re frustrated, tired, angry, and hungry, my prayer is that you hang on. The Lord knows what you’re going through, and He hasn’t forgotten you. He wants you to turn to Him and tell Him how you feel. He doesn’t mind if you vent.
The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. [Psalm 34:18]
And for the rest of us, let’s all try to be a little more understanding and patient with each other. If someone cuts you off in traffic today, consider that maybe that person just heard that they’re being laid off from their job, or that their health insurance won’t cover the procedure they need. I know some of you don’t even have health insurance. But let’s not stop communicating. Don’t hold it all in and try to appear strong and have it all together. Things are tough these days! Talking things out with others may uncover options and opportunities you haven’t thought of. Anyway, thanks for reading this. I feel better now, but I still hate bugs.
A Word from the Editor
Frustration isn’t weak faith; it’s often the first honest word before a real prayer. Psalm 34:18 promises the Lord stays close to the brokenhearted, so take your complaints to Him before you take them out on someone else. He already knows what’s bugging you – He just wants to hear it from you.
Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words
Distributed by – BCWorldview.org
Editor Comment: God stays near the brokenhearted, and even our smallest daily frustrations are welcome material for honest prayer. I remember my mentor, early in my Christian life, told me he had prayed for a parking spot when late for a meeting. At the time I thought that was trivial but it speaks to the Lord wishing to be part of our needs at all levels.
This article appeared on Medium and is reprinted with modifications and by permission.