How Are You Doing?

How many times a day are you asked this question? How do you respond? I have some friends I can count on to respond with a sigh. I know some people who say, “I’m making it.” And some who say, “I’m doing.” I have one friend who always says, with a smile, “I’m blessed and highly favored!” Another friend, a cancer survivor, says, “It’s always a good day on this side of the grass.” The first time I heard that, it took me a moment to understand. I have another friend whose response is different every time I ask. Most recently he said, “If I were any better you’d have to throw a bucket of water at me!”

Since this is my blog, I can be honest, right? Well, here are a few of my confessions. One, I am not always as positive as the title of this blog indicates. Two, in the past 2-3 weeks, I have Googled “scriptures about frustration” more than once.

I don't have a set response to, “How are you doing?” I say, “Okay.” Sometimes I nod; sometimes I shake my head; sometimes I sigh; and admittedly, sometimes my response is, “Next question, please!” That is so ungodly! God is good, right? All the time, right? Well, why can’t we reflect that, immediately, when we are greeted?

What does the Bible say about frustration?

Isaiah 41:10
“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Galatians 6:9
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”

James 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect that you may be perfect and complete lacking in nothing.”


Yes, life happens. Yes, our to-do list keeps growing. Yes, there are only 24-hours in each day and we must sleep for about 7 of those. Frustration is feeling we have when it seems our plans are not progressing; the feeling we get when things are being added to our to-do list faster than they are being removed. When we feel our frustrations mounting, we should stop and pray.

1) Ask God if our plans are His plans. Any plans that are ours, but not His, will take extra time and energy to execute. Since it’s extra time and energy that we lack, it’s important to ensure that His plans are what we are working to execute.

2) Ask God for the strength to continue even through trials. Often, God gives us trials to strengthen us and to test our faith. Praying through our trials can give us tools we will need for similar trials to come, or in advising someone we will soon meet.

3) Ask God to show you a better way. As humans our view is limited, but God’s is not. He is the Creator and knows all things. Just because we have a degree does not mean we know everything. We must ask God to show us how to best complete our work for Him.

One last thing piece of advice that can improve your response to, “How are you doing?” is this. Rest. Sleep is imperative. Sleep renews our body and our mind so that we can effectively use our God-given strength and talent. I’ve mentioned my trials of 2012 several times in this blog. One thing that really made a difference was that I planned for naps. I planned a 2-hour nap each Wednesday, and a 1-hour nap each Saturday. It made a huge difference in how I was able to relate to my children and in how I was able to think clearly to get my work done—it was key to my survival. Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”


AMEN! I hope this blog is a blessing to your life!
Kim



Copyright 2018 Kimberly Griffith Massey