Grouch Antidote

Ever noticed when you're grouchy that everything feels like too much? There's too much to do, too much expected, too many obligations that suddenly lose their importance. I look at myself and find too many flaws, too few improvements, too much that needs work.

I know it's an attitude problem, so I keep my mouth shut and push through, or at least that's my plan. It doesn't always work as I imagined. Cause I'm grouchy. And lack patience. And self-control.

So I think the cure is to isolate myself, but me, alone with my thoughts in this state? Scary.

I can't be WITH people. I can't be WITHOUT people. What is a grouch to do?

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me till I entered the sanctuary of God . . . When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet . . .

Yet, even so, through all my grouchy fog which struggles to rise above, YET . . .

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Though I am a grouch, a brute beast, senseless and ignorant, He is still near, still guiding, still waiting to take me home to glory. While I berate myself He has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we were formed, he remembers that we are dust.

How can I push away that kind of love? Placing my grouchy self in His presence, without pretense, humbly and needy and very human, brings me the right perspective. He tells me to breathe, to rest. He says tomorrow is a new day to seek His face and give it another go.

My Grouch Antidote is seeking God. What's yours?



Scripture passages: Psalm 73:21-24, Psalm 103:13-14