Dealing with Interruptions
Monday, November 14
Dealing with Interruptions
Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14
How many times a day do you get frustrated? Lots? It happens so easily, doesn’t it? Driving along, you come across bumper-to-bumper traffic, which makes you late for an appointment. Or your pen runs out at the wrong time, or you get a flat on the way to work. I’m sure you can think of lots of experiences like that. There is no escaping it and maybe you’ve even acknowledged it and pledged to yourself ‘tomorrow I am going to do better’. But I want to show you a better way. Let’s look at the way our Lord Jesus handled frustration. Let me take you back to an incident in Matthew’s gospel when Jesus received devastating news about his cousin, John the Baptist—he had been put to death.
We read in Matthew 14:13-14 (NLT):
As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Jesus wanted to be alone, but he couldn’t because the crowd kept coming. In other words, they had interrupted his day and his plans. How did Jesus respond? With frustration and anger? No! Instead of getting frustrated with their request, God’s Word tells us He used the interruption to heal those who were sick and miraculously fed a multitude. When his plans were hampered, he simply made bigger ones. What a terrific way to handle frustrating situations. By doing something good.
Today, turn your negative into a positive. No matter how bad the frustration may be, ask yourself how I can give God praise right now.
Prayer for today: Loving Father, I feel so frustrated. Give me strength, oh Father, to overcome these negative feelings and to get all the tasks that I have to do, completed, efficiently and effectively, and on time! Calm my mind. Give me peace. Amen