Last week I experienced a disappointment I’m embarrassed to tell you about, but I’m going to anyway because I think you’ve been through frustrating circumstances, too. We all experience setbacks, but how can we learn to stay joyful during them?
After working a year and a half on my book More of God, I got an alarming email three days before launch day. The cover of my book had a misspelling, so the print version wouldn’t be ready on release day.
A misspelling on the cover?
How does that even happen? Hadn’t we proofread the thing time and again? I was speechless when I looked at the spine of my book. It said, “A Distrcted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times.” No “A.” Just “DISTRCTED.”
Somehow when I printed proof copies, I never said, “Oh wait. I think I’ll proofread the 11 words on the spine of the book.”
Y’all. I’d been too distracted to notice a glaring mistake.
I had to laugh at the irony. Even more hilarious was the fact that I was in the middle of a pack of 70 women dressing up in 80’s style gear for a costume dinner when I got the email. Yes, I was at a women’s retreat, far from my computer, unable to do anything to solve the problem.
As the other women laughed with delight over their funky 80’s costumes, I was in tears. After 1.5 years of work, the print version of my book wouldn’t be available on release day?
Then I heard Jesus say to me the same thing he said to Martha, “Betsy, dear Betsy, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential.” (Don’t you love the Message translation of Luke 10:41,42a?)
What are you frustrated about today, friend?
How about reading the verse again with your own name?
Luke 10 tells us Martha was distracted and troubled at many things. Sounds about like us, doesn’t it? Maybe your child is driving you crazy or you’re facing a setback at work, or you have a plumbing emergency at home.
Let’s look at this story to find 3 things we can do when we’re frustrated:
Take your frustration straight to Jesus
We criticize Martha for ragging on Mary, but the truth is she took an obvious first step many of us miss when we’re upset. She took her situation straight to the Savior and told Him how she felt.
Before we start venting our frustrations to the people around us, let’s pour out our feelings to Jesus. Greater peace will result.
Remember your One Thing
Mary chose the one necessary thing: she focused her attention on Jesus and sat at His feet listening to His voice. Sometimes it’s helpful to ask ourselves, “What will I choose today? Will I listen for the voice of Jesus or focus on my inner rant of exasperation?
Some days making that choice is hard. Everything in me wants to kick my feet and whine. Each time my inner rant starts up, I have to turn my mind to Jesus again.
Don’t Let Go of Your One Thing
The passage is not about whether or not to do housework, it’s about our focus on Jesus and His voice. Jesus says, “[Mary] has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away.”
Going back to my book cover mess-up, I determined in my heart, “I’m not going to let this take away my one thing or steal my joy. I will keep my heart turned towards Jesus and listen for His voice.” It was hard, but I was still able to enjoy my book release day, even though the print edition released several days later than the Kindle version. It all worked out.
What frustration or disappointment are you facing today? Will you take it straight to the Savior and tell Him how you feel? Let’s choose to keep our hearts turned towards Jesus and listen for His voice. He has all the grace we need, and He will renew our joy as He works everything out for our good.
Now it’s your turn: What helps you get through frustrating circumstances?
Want ideas on how to get more out of your quiet time? Click on the image below to check out my book, More of God: A Distracted Woman’s Guide to More Meaningful Quiet Times.
Note: This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase, I earn a small commission towards the maintenance of this site at no extra cost to you.
Are you facing the challenges of life on an empty tank? Need help renewing your relationship with God?
Yes, the irony of the misspelling! But oh, my heart aches for how you must have felt. I hurt when I send out an email with incorrect grammar or a typing error, so I can only imagine. The silver lining is it was caught BEFORE publication date. But still. Your lesson here is good for all of us: stay focused on the one thing, not the many things that can distract us. It’s definitely a lesson I need every day!
Yes, it was a lesson for sure. Interestingly, it was spelled right on draft 1 of the cover, but the “a” disappeared from “Distracted” in draft 1, and I didn’t notice it, nor did the graphic designer! Laughing now and giving thanks!
Betsy, I’m so sorry you had to deal with that stress last week, but I’m glad your book launch went so well despite the slight delay with the printed copies. It is easy to let frustrating circumstances distract us and I love the lessons you draw out from Martha’s story.
Thanks so much, Lesley! It all worked out in the end, but yes it did add to my stress levels! It was a huge opportunity to learn more about trusting God!
“Don’t let go of your one thing” – that one seems to trip me up the most. Yes, I allow the enemy to steal my joy far too often. Thanks for sharing your struggle (even if it feels embarrassing) because it is so helpful to see how the enemy works to distract us all. (I’m not the only one!) Congratulations on your launch (and an error found – before printing!)
Thanks so much, Jennifer! Yes, let’s hold on to our one thing tightly, shall we? Thanks for your kind words.
Betsy,
Oh Betsy…the irony….but oh the frustration!! Regardless, congratulations on the release of your book. I think I need the version that is missing the “A”. I sometimes wonder if God says to the angels, “Watch this one (meaning me) her rants take on epic proportions.” My dad was right that I can make mountains out of molehills. When I find frustration flaring and my blood pressure rising….I try to ask myself, “How big is this REALLY in the scheme of life? Is this something too big for God to handle?? Chances are it’s too big for me, but nothing is too big for God. Turning it over to Him before my blood boils over is the key. You always have such solid advice, Betsy!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Yes, you are so right to ask, “How big is this really?” For sure, the problem looks a lot smaller this week than it did last week! And in the light of eternity, it’s not even a speck of dust! Thanks so much for chiming in here, Bev.
Oh Betsy, this ordeal would have thrown me for a loop and had me in tears, too. Especially if I couldn’t immediately go to work on it. Thankful your print version released only a few days later and for the powerful lessons you learned. Because now I’ve gleaned so much from your post. The Lord’s been teaching me to go to Him first. It’s not easy, but more necessary than we realize (learned this from hindsight).
And the other 2 points are just as powerful to remember and hold onto the one thing of going to Jesus. Thank you for sharing.
Your neighbor today on #HeartEncouragement
Thanks so much for chiming in here, Karen. It makes me feel better to know this would have thrown you for a loop, too. (Because, girl, believe me, it was not easy!) But I did learn from it, and one week later down the road, things look so different. We lose our perspective!
I hear your frustration but also notice that God still protected you from the misspelling ending up on the print copy of your book. And by the way, your book is such a blessing. The challenges you faced along the way only added to making your book that much more authentic. Thank you for sharing your heart.
Yes, Mary! On this side of the problem, I am giving thanks that my book did not go out that way! 🙂 Thanks for your words of encouragement.
oh how horrifying, Betsy! i would have been freaking out with anxiety!
but you walked through your frustration and disappointment and did what you needed to do, God met you. and by sharing your story, He’s met us yet once again.
and whispered that He’s there even in the midst of the craziness.
i hope today finds you well, friend …
Thanks so much, Linda! It is well with my soul, indeed. I am enjoying a week off with my daughter. Yes, God is with us, even in the crazy.