What Annoys You?

Seriously. What annoys you? What annoying things bother you every day?

Your facebook feed? That last political post from your co-worker? The conversation around the table at girls’ night out?

Socks on the floor? Dishes in the sink? The used grounds left in the French press?

As I was reading through Proverbs 12 today, I was impressed again by another powerful verse.

“A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.” Proverbs 12:16

Think about that for a minute.

A fool shows how annoyed he is by annoying things.

Picture yourself late for work, driving behind someone going 10 miles under the speed limit.

Picture yourself at the grocery store in line with someone who has forgotten their checkbook and didn’t notice until their entire order was run through. Add to that trying to contain 3 unruly, tired and very antsy children.

Picture yourself waiting an hour for your husband to come home and he hasn’t called yet.

Picture yourself in the nursery at church, watching 10 other children and the teacher still hasn’t shown up and church started 10 minutes ago.

The “picture yourself” scenerios could go on and on… what annoys you?

Annoying things

Pause here. Go over the last few days. What REALLY annoys you?

What annoying things have you encountered? What annoying things did you handle badly?

Ok. Now, go back and read that verse over again. Have you been prudent or have you been a fool?

• prudent – wise or judicious in practical affairs

I read this verse about a year ago and it has changed how I drive, how I parent, how I wait, how I think, and how I interpret situations. I don’t get annoyed as quickly as I used to.

Annoying things can still be annoying… but I choose to react differently.

There is a pause now. A moment to think. Trying to not get so frustrated when someone puts a dent in my schedule or interrupts the flow of my day.

Why?

Because wisdom says to overlook their mistakes, overlook their lack of consideration, overlook their annoying things.

Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.”

I certainly haven’t mastered the art of “overlooking” and this is made all the more difficult with the constant press of technology all around us throwing offensive things our way.

But, I can say that I am more aware of my thoughts, my attitude, my actions and my words.

Sometimes a smile is what that offending person needs. I’m sure they need that more than they need my show of annoyance.

Sometimes smiling at annoying things is just what WE need.

What can you overlook annoying things today and in doing so, keep yourself under control?

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