Leveling with Life’s Frustrations

I’m annoyed and frustrated. I’m recovering from foot surgery and am supposed to stay off my feet. Two weeks into a five-week sentence of sitting in a chair is feeling ridiculous. Yesterday, the doctor was rather stern reminding me of my restrictions. What does he know? They’re my feet!

Then this morning I went for blood work, fasting in preparation. After waiting for 30 minutes, I was told the orders weren’t delivered, even after I called the doctor’s office last week and gave them instructions on where to send the order and the fax number to the lab.

So, I’ll have to fast another day, beg for a ride because I can’t drive, and go back to the lab for tests that should have been completed today. In addition, my Wi-Fi is acting up, my printer is out of paper, and I don’t have any on hand, and we’re out of coffee. Finally, I forgot about this reflection, which is due today, until just a few minutes ago. I had other plans this morning, and they just went out the window. I should have stayed in bed this morning.

 I know these are minor complications compared to those people who have much more serious issues to contend with, but I find they are still exasperating. No matter how big or small annoyances, frustrations, irritations, exasperations, displeasures are part of life, and they disrupt plans, diminish contentment, a sense of well-being, and rob us of peace of mind and heart.

 St. Francis de Sales wisely and competently addresses the shadow of life’s frustrations and disappointments in the Introduction to a Devout Life. Paraphrasing Part 4, Chapter 13 of the Introduction, he writes: 

We should always attempt to keep equality of heart despite the crazy and annoying occurrences all around us. Although all things turn and change, we should remain constantly immovable, always looking for and aspiring towards God. Let everything be in confusion. Even if our soul is overwhelmed by sorrow or joy, with peace or trouble, with light or darkness, our heart, our spirit, our will must always be directed to our God, its Savior, its only sovereign good. Nothing shall separate us from this holy charity (love) which is found in Jesus Christ.

It is in this advice from St. Francis that peace of mind and heart may be found.

May God be blessed,

Fr. Jack

Fr. Jack Loughran, OSFS

Provincial

Toledo-Detroit Province