I am not normally the type of person that let’s things get to me. I try to be like the duck that lets the water roll off his back. I try to walk in love because not walking in love is not cool to God.
I especially do not blog about work because many a blogger has gotten fired for doing so. I am going to break that rule today but I am not going to say anything here that I would be concerned about if my boss read it. In fact everything I am saying here we have already talked about.
I have to say though that for the last 4-6 months that I have been frustrated with my job. The source of my frustration stems from what I thought I would be doing when I started to what I actually ended up doing.
When I interviewed for the job they presented a dilemma that they had as a company and I had the solution – this is why they hired me. I was excited because I was going to be at the fore front of this solution and it was a step up for me. What happened though was that before I could start on the new solution I had to dig out the old solution and fix it. It has been 6 months of fixing and I am not done yet.
This is just the tip of the iceberg though. See in the type of work that I do you have to continue to do it consistently and stay up on the latest and greatest. You cannot afford to take 6 months or a year off of not doing what I do without getting left behind.
The project that I was supposed to do was going to allow me to build my skill set in my field and allow me to take the next step up. But, because I have not started working on the project I am now 6 months behind in my skills for my field (at least on my resume).
Also, because of the area that we now live in jobs are not as plentiful as they were in California. They do not tend to pay as much either. The pickin’s are slimmer here (Texas talk ).
Finally, since I am the sole bread winner for the family I really do not have the luxury of quitting and finding something new. Financial stability is really important to us now that we have kids and my wife’s parents to take care of.
So there it is - “The List” of frustrations. Now the solution.
Dictionary.com defines frustrate as to make plans, efforts, etc. worthless or of no avail; to defeat or nullify:
I have been frustrated because the plans that I had are not working out the way that I thought that they would. The plans were to work on this project and let it take me to the next level in my field. That has not happened.
In situations like this we are forced to look at our state of being and try to understand why we are there. When times like this come I do not like to beat around the bush so I look at myself first. I find when I do that I usually do not need to look any further.
What could I have done communicated better with those I work with. If I would have done this I would not have been pulled in so many directions that were opposite of the original goal. I could of calmly and politely gotten the parties involved and setup a game plan. I did not do this.
I could have also asked God what I should do. How many times do we travel down a road by ourselves and then wonder why we are all alone. Six months ago I really was not in touch with God or at the level I am today. Now I am trying to find His way in things and follow it. That is on me.
I have found that if you do not define your path in life, others will do it for you. In this situation I did not define my path, it was done for me. When it comes down to it I have no place to be upset because my inaction caused this situation. Other people stepped up and defined what I was doing only because I did not step up. Lesson learned.
So what do I take away from this?
I take away that I caused this situation so with God’s help I will fix it. I have to say though that my boss is really cool. He has totally backed me through all of this and has helped me setup time to work on “the project” once a week for a day from now on. This not only benefits the company but it benefits me.
I also take away that it really sucks when you are frustrated. You do not want to do anything, you are just mad at people. That is no way to live. I am not going to be like that any more.
I encourage you that if you have some area in your life that you are frustrated in to stop, take a look at your situation, find out your part, and fix what you have the ability to fix.
There may be some things that you have limited control over but you would be surprised at how powerful a little determination can have. Determination is what got you where you are. Determination will get you out of that place.
One more thing.
Proverbs 13:12 says – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
When you are frustrated it can cause you to be ungrateful and/or bitter which are both an open door to the enemy. The devil will gladly step in through these open doors to torment you. Don’t give him that opportunity. Close the doors to him by looking at the good things in your situation and being thankful for them. This not only shuts him out but opens the door to God.
In my situation I had these positive things.
First, my company is an excellent place to work. I have had 3 weeks off already this year and have another 2 weeks available. I can work from home any day of the week I want. I come and go as I please. Oh, and have I mentioned the kitchen? I am talking about the one that is stacked with food, snacks, and soda – and it is all free.
Let’s not forget to mention that it pays an uneducated (OK, I have an Associates degree from a BIBLE SCHOOL) guy like me enough money that I can pay all the bills, put money in savings, and my wife does not need to work. The company I work for rocks!
I have plenty to be thankful for (this is actually what has carried me this whole time). Today though I was able to nail down the core of the frustration that I was experiencing. There may be other things but I will deal with them when the time comes.
Anyway, life is to short to spent it unhappy. God intention is for us to live life and to live it abundantly! Get yours and live it.
Being Frustrated as a Christian
I especially do not blog about work because many a blogger has gotten fired for doing so. I am going to break that rule today but I am not going to say anything here that I would be concerned about if my boss read it. In fact everything I am saying here we have already talked about.
I have to say though that for the last 4-6 months that I have been frustrated with my job. The source of my frustration stems from what I thought I would be doing when I started to what I actually ended up doing.
When I interviewed for the job they presented a dilemma that they had as a company and I had the solution – this is why they hired me. I was excited because I was going to be at the fore front of this solution and it was a step up for me. What happened though was that before I could start on the new solution I had to dig out the old solution and fix it. It has been 6 months of fixing and I am not done yet.
This is just the tip of the iceberg though. See in the type of work that I do you have to continue to do it consistently and stay up on the latest and greatest. You cannot afford to take 6 months or a year off of not doing what I do without getting left behind.
The project that I was supposed to do was going to allow me to build my skill set in my field and allow me to take the next step up. But, because I have not started working on the project I am now 6 months behind in my skills for my field (at least on my resume).
Also, because of the area that we now live in jobs are not as plentiful as they were in California. They do not tend to pay as much either. The pickin’s are slimmer here (Texas talk
).
Finally, since I am the sole bread winner for the family I really do not have the luxury of quitting and finding something new. Financial stability is really important to us now that we have kids and my wife’s parents to take care of.
So there it is - “The List” of frustrations. Now the solution.
Dictionary.com defines frustrate as to make plans, efforts, etc. worthless or of no avail; to defeat or nullify:
I have been frustrated because the plans that I had are not working out the way that I thought that they would. The plans were to work on this project and let it take me to the next level in my field. That has not happened.
In situations like this we are forced to look at our state of being and try to understand why we are there. When times like this come I do not like to beat around the bush so I look at myself first. I find when I do that I usually do not need to look any further.
What could I have done communicated better with those I work with. If I would have done this I would not have been pulled in so many directions that were opposite of the original goal. I could of calmly and politely gotten the parties involved and setup a game plan. I did not do this.
I could have also asked God what I should do. How many times do we travel down a road by ourselves and then wonder why we are all alone. Six months ago I really was not in touch with God or at the level I am today. Now I am trying to find His way in things and follow it. That is on me.
I have found that if you do not define your path in life, others will do it for you. In this situation I did not define my path, it was done for me. When it comes down to it I have no place to be upset because my inaction caused this situation. Other people stepped up and defined what I was doing only because I did not step up. Lesson learned.
So what do I take away from this?
I take away that I caused this situation so with God’s help I will fix it. I have to say though that my boss is really cool. He has totally backed me through all of this and has helped me setup time to work on “the project” once a week for a day from now on. This not only benefits the company but it benefits me.
I also take away that it really sucks when you are frustrated. You do not want to do anything, you are just mad at people. That is no way to live. I am not going to be like that any more.
I encourage you that if you have some area in your life that you are frustrated in to stop, take a look at your situation, find out your part, and fix what you have the ability to fix.
There may be some things that you have limited control over but you would be surprised at how powerful a little determination can have. Determination is what got you where you are. Determination will get you out of that place.
One more thing.
Proverbs 13:12 says – Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
When you are frustrated it can cause you to be ungrateful and/or bitter which are both an open door to the enemy. The devil will gladly step in through these open doors to torment you. Don’t give him that opportunity. Close the doors to him by looking at the good things in your situation and being thankful for them. This not only shuts him out but opens the door to God.
In my situation I had these positive things.
First, my company is an excellent place to work. I have had 3 weeks off already this year and have another 2 weeks available. I can work from home any day of the week I want. I come and go as I please. Oh, and have I mentioned the kitchen? I am talking about the one that is stacked with food, snacks, and soda – and it is all free.
Let’s not forget to mention that it pays an uneducated (OK, I have an Associates degree from a BIBLE SCHOOL) guy like me enough money that I can pay all the bills, put money in savings, and my wife does not need to work. The company I work for rocks!
I have plenty to be thankful for (this is actually what has carried me this whole time). Today though I was able to nail down the core of the frustration that I was experiencing. There may be other things but I will deal with them when the time comes.
Anyway, life is to short to spent it unhappy. God intention is for us to live life and to live it abundantly! Get yours and live it.
God Bless.
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