The Overflow

If you haven’t already watched the above video, please do so – it provides perspective.

I’ll be honest – proper perspective is something I struggle with. Most of my “problems” are simply annoyances resulting from a spoiled, coddled life – not real problems – and while videos like this one help me see that, something else helps too: prayer.

PERSPECTIVE THROUGH PRAYER

I have a prayer list on my desktop I try to pray through at least once a day. Most of that list is made up of names of people with real problems – you know, big stuff.

But you know what else I’m getting into the habit of praying about? Stuff that annoys me. For lack of a better phrase, stupid stuff.

Why?

Because it’s the stupid stuff I can easily let poison my attitude if I’m not careful, and I’ve found when I voice my petty annoyances to God and imagine myself doing so in His presence, it causes my complaints to seem so very silly and small (because they are) and I can clearly see the stupidity in them. Just as listening to people from a third world country complain about first world problems tends to put things in perspective, so does taking my petty annoyances before a holy God in prayer.

So I pray about big stuff, but I pray about little stuff too – and not because the little stuff is important, but because it is so very unimportant, and I have to constantly be reminded of that.

CULTIVATING WISDOM

I don’t know about you, but when I find myself in a bad mood or having a bad attitude, it’s usually over something silly, and wisdom not only demands one possess the right information, but also the right attitude which leads to right action.

If I really want to live a life characterized by wisdom (and I do), I can’t sweat the small stuff, so I take it before God and He helps me see it for what it really is.

So the next time you find yourself in a bad mood because …

• Your coworker talks too much.
• Your neighbor’s dog won’t stop barking.
• Your spouse didn’t pick up after themselves.
• You wake up wanting cereal and the last drink of milk is gone.
• Someone cuts you off in traffic.
• A waiter or waitress is moving too slowly.
• You’re not getting what you want when you want it in the way you want it.

Take your annoyance before God, see it for what it is, and get over yourself.

Wisdom demands it.

Philippians 4:6-7
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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