Frustrating Phone Call

This was going nowhere and I was getting more and more frustrated.

Psalm 113:1-9

Reference: v.3 From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised. (TNIV Bible)

Explore: I had the most frustrating phone call the other day, it left me just wanting to SCREAM!

All I wanted to do was to call an organization and get my postal address changed. I tried doing this online, but found I had to call on the phone.

When I called the required number I was met with a recorded message and given four options to choose from so they could send me to the correct department. None of the four addressed my issue.

So I chose a random number hoping to get to an operator, however, it just sent me to another recorded voice asking me to speak clearly and voice my concern. I spoke loudly and clearly saying, “Change of address.”

It clarified by saying, “Did you request a store location?”

“No!” I said emphatically.

When the recorded voice asked me to try again we ended up at the same place. Upon the next request I thought I would try some different wording, so I said (very clearly) “Change my postal details.”

It asked whether I would like a tax receipt! This was going nowhere and I was getting more and more frustrated.

Even the recorded message realized that we weren’t making progress and put me through to an operator. Well, it put me on hold so that I went in a line to get to an operator.

After waiting on hold for 17 minutes the phone started to ring through. “Finally!” I thought, only to have the line go dead and my call was lost. I couldn’t believe it! Thirty minutes of my life I’d never get back and all it got me was a very bad temper.

Application: There are numerous times in our lives when we have to deal with frustrating situations. I have to admit that at this point in my life I was not using my lips to praise God.

And yet, we are called to praise God at ALL times. “From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.”

Sure, it’s easy to praise God when you are standing in front of a beautiful sun rise or sunset, however, there are many moments in between that make praise challenging.

God never said that following Him would be easy. Even in the most frustrating of times God gives us plenty of reason to praise Him. It’s just that at the times of frustration we are choosing to focus more on the annoyance than the opportunities for praise.

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I let my frustration get the better of me. My lips were made to praise You and not to tear others down. May I be committed to praising You every moment of every day. Amen.

When have you recently got frustrated? How could you have turned that moment into praise for God?

address, choices, frustration, phone, praise, Psalm, sun