Aggravation and the Follower of Jesus.

Carol remembers how the family game, Aggravation, got her thinking about frustrations in life. She reminds us that peace is found in Jesus.

Missing Puzzle Pieces

Have you ever been working on a puzzle and can’t seem to find the right pieces to complete this section or even to begin? Sometimes even the edge pieces want to hide in the jumble of tiny bits that will make up the picture when properly put together. I must admit that because of my dislike of putting together a puzzle, it always seems to be aggravating. But making puzzles aren’t the only part of everyday life that can give you a moment to pause and wonder why you are doing this.

The Game, Aggravation

My family likes to play the marble game with each other and with friends, or at least that’s what we call it. But I have also seen it on the market when my children were younger and heard it referred to as a game called Aggravation.

I often understand the name as my marbles get sent back to the start or get switched around the board just when they get close to safety. At times it appears to be a conspiracy to pick on one colour of marbles. Sometimes the numbers on the cards in my hand just don’t add up to get my marble where I need or want it to be. Frustration can replace a smile even through it is simply a game to be enjoyed while we visit our friends and laugh about the struggles presented in this game.

Frustration With Aggravation

During one game with our friends, nothing I did seemed to get my marbles to safety. It felt like everyone picked on me. I felt a childish pout threatening to take over and forced a smile on to my face.  Frustration threatened to bubble up and after helping my daughter, Amee, shuffle, I handed her the cards and said, “Deal on!”

Everyone laughed at how frustrated that comment came out sounding and teased me for the rest of the game about it. It was only a game and the outcome would not affect anything in my life, except I’d have no bragging rights about winning, which was not important.

Aggravating Life Events

How often can events in our lives be described as aggravating? Frustration builds when nothing appears to be working the way we expect. We might feel like safety or a safe landing spot isn’t able to be reached. We worry about what disaster might occur next or what event might make us go back a few steps instead of continuing to advance toward our goals. Maybe we have had to start all over again.

Who will stop us from reaching the safe zone, the comfortable place to relax or keep us from winning in what many refer to as the game of life? Safety is always within our grasp if we follow Jesus—not necessarily an easy road or one full of all the comforts we might crave. Laughter might be interspersed with tears but Jesus says in Matthew 11: 28–30,

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for you souls.

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

An Open Invitation

The invitation is open to all. Jesus offers us help no matter how turbulent and frustrating life might get. He doesn’t promise to change the situation or take us to a place of comfort, but He offers us peace in the midst of the aggravating times.

What aggravates you? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.

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