Easier Said, Then Done
Easier Said Then Done
“Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:40 KJV
So so many examples for this saying, “easier said, then done”.
It’s one of those sayings that the inflicted or affected person (you) says in response to someone (other person) who has no idea what you’re going through, when they give you advice about what you’re doing. Read that twice, you’ll get it.
It’s so hard to be in an emotion and completely back out of it and say - wait, this is how I should handle it. Frustration, anger, inappropriateness, etc.
Here’s just one of many examples......
I will try and hook the brush cutter, bush hog, rotary mower or whatever you wanna call it, up to the tractor during mowing season. And unless you can afford an easy connect, you have to do it manually like me.
Hooking anything up to the PTO is not an easy task at all. Ever!
So, I have to get back there, lean into a tight space, squeeze this, while pushing that and hope that it goes on the first time. Oh yeah, because it’s heavy and awkward. And it never goes on the first time.
Usually at about the fourth attempt I get really frustrated. A pre-existing conditioning of being a male, is that I lack patience.
Frustration then kicks in. No, it actually drop kicks in and goes full steam ahead. I usually bang something with a tender part of my hand, holler something and then walk off, while kicking leaves, branches and dirt. Yes, it is a two year old throwing a temper tantrum in a fifty year olds body.
If I’m lucky, my wife will be there and say something like, “why don’t you come back to it later” or “take a few deep breaths and try again”. And under my breath I usually say “easier said than done”.
This is where we always go wrong. We are so reactive and carnal.
In our daily life we do everything possible to be proactive at life. We set alarms, we make lists, we try to think ahead. Never realizing that this isn’t the way.
It’s not like this is the first time I’ve hooked up something to the PTO on the tractor. In fact, the only reason it sticks out in my head is because I can remember the frustration more than the wins.
Someone once said to me, and if I could remember who it was, I’d give them credit. They said, “wouldn’t it be better to give it to God before you got into it?”
Bingo! Now that actually is easier said AND done. You can do this
Before I go to the tractor I should pray to God to ease my frustration and open my mind in order to turn to Him. I should ask for patience in order to respond in a way that would be pleasing to Him. I should pray and ask that I respond in a way that Jesus would respond.
Most often, actually almost always, we turn to God afterward.
We are great at starting our day off in prayer, but how often do we turn to God even during those times when we know we are going to need Him. We should. You and I both know it. We usually turn to Him in prayer during decisions and critical moments in life. We should be in conversation with God before the things that affect us, effect us.
Our God is here for everything. Not just to show us a way or to give us an answered prayer. God is here for us to turn to in trying times or difficult situations - even before they occur.
As this crazy year ends, think about the ways you can turn to God to help you, not just to give you the answers. Ask God to ease your patience and anxiety. Turn to Him when your frustrations peak.
Remember He is always here to help us when we need it, not just for after the fact.
No matter what you’re going through, even if your life is running smooth right now, He is here. We can always turn to God.
“As it is written in the law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the Lord our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand thy truth.”
Daniel 9:13 KJV
“Therefore turn thou to thy God: keep mercy and judgment, and wait on thy God continually.”
Hosea 12:6 KJV