Whatsoever Things. . .

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(Philippians 4:8, KJV)

I have a hard time accepting big, bad companies and organizations invading my status quo. Take today, for instance, when I had to use the "big" Post Office in a nearby city. Now, I've never been one who felt comfortable about going to new places by myself. When I was a teen, it was a huge ordeal the few times my mom sent me into the grocery store where I'd been countless times with her or my dad. I would get shaky even before we entered the parking lot and later emerge relieved and tired from the emotional stress. Well, I don't get shaky anymore, but I really have to be in the right mindset to go some places. I get a general idea of what it will be like, and just do it.

Today, I needed to mail some things while we were out and, rather than pass our house to go to our tiny local post office that shares a building with the gas station/pizza shop, we stopped at the grandiose two-story historical post office in the town where we had done a little shopping. I had a couple hurdles once inside, but I was okay. I dealt with them. I'm adaptable, right? Well, then it came time to pay.

We prefer to use credit cards for a few practical reasons, and are very careful to pay our balance monthly. Apparently, though, it is no longer acceptable to the USPS to "sign" your credit cards with "Ask for ID," even if you have five other forms of identification on you. I did not know this, but the pleasant lady behind the counter was very patient and helpful as I decided to use cash instead.

While I managed to maintain grace throughout the situation, the stress of the entire experience began to hit me as I was on my way out the door. By the time I was back to the car I needed a release! I wanted to cry! scream! pound my fist! All of which I did, I'm sorry to say. And to what end? It seems so foolish. It certainly didn't glorify God.

But "God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are the called according to His purposes." (Romans 8:28) First, I knew I needed to just repent of that response I had had before I could go on with the things I needed to accomplish. Only then could God begin to work in me again. Later, it just so happened that another project related to BibleStoreBrowser.com took me to the verse in Philippians above. When I read that, I knew it was for me, and that it needed to be shared.

It's easy to get overwhelmed in circumstances over which we have no control. Whether it's home rage, road rage, office rage, or post office rage, the important things to remember in those situations are that they ARE beyond our control, and no amount of screaming and pounding our fists will fix it. What's done, is done. What's declared by the powers that be is, for the most part, decided and not worth such wasted energy, unless it can be approached with a level head and a calmly-stated inquiry to the decision maker(s). Most important is what I hope to remind myself the next time those feelings come knocking, and I know they will: When we feel those little tinges of anger begin to well up, we've got to beat them back by thinking on the "whatsoever things" instead. But if we do happen to "lose it," there is forgiveness, and maybe even a blessing to others from our dumb mistake.

What are the "whatsoever things" you'll remind yourself the next time you are tempted to let out your unrighteous anger:
*On the road? *At work? *At the store? *On the phone? *With your spouse? *With your kids? *With your parents? *With the customer service representative?