Invitation Declined

I went to a faith based singles retreat this past weekend. It was truly an amzing experience. I was in the woods and got to spend some real quiet time with God literally retreating with Him. I had felt so flustered and confused with life because I had allowed overcrowding and noise to tune God's voice out. I wasn't consistent with praying, reading my Word or spending time with God as I usually did. I was more emotionally led, snappy and frustrated with just...everything. It was a mess.

These 4 days away with God in the midst of endless woods was just what I needed to clear my head and get back on track with my relationship with Him. I came home feeling so enlightened, happy and at peace with the world. As soon as I stepped back in Boston there was something there waiting for me to get me upset. See a family member (who shall be remained unidentified) called me and was fussing about having to pick me up from the airport. Mind you, they have no reason to be fussing. They could have called me and had a regular conversation asking me whatever question they needed to ask me and that would be the end of it. This particular relative though, likes to fuss just for the sake of fussing and it...drives...me....up...the...wall.

As they were fussing on the phone, I could feel my calm, peaceful and retreated demeanor starting to stir and leave my body. I could feel my eye squinting, my blood boiling and my temper start to flare up as I was just about to shout at them for fussing at me for no reason. I then heard a word placed in my spirit that I had read time and time again on social media by Heather Lindsey and Kim Pothier "You don't have to accept every invitation to an argument. Guard your heart". I decided in that moment that I was not going to let the devil use this situation to steal my joy. I was going to pass this test. So instead of popping off at the mouth (which I think was deserved), I instead opted to simply answer the questions in a calm and soft tone and get off the phone once the conversation was over. Was it hard? Heck yeah! I was on the phone squeezing my eyes and hands so much to control myself. Was it worth it? Totally. But:

Proverbs 15:1  A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger

 Use every opportunity to approach a situation the way Jesus would. Pass the test

xo 

Tasha