“It’s always something” is an expression that has been around for a long time. If someone utters these words, you can be sure they are pronounced with tones of defeat or dread. Oh no, this is happening, again? Why all the yucky stuff? Can we stop with the one [bad] thing after another?
“It’s always something” has been mumbled by my beloved or me on more than one occasion in recent weeks. As a matter of fact, we have seemed to be in an extended season of events that have instigated the use of this phrase.
A leaky faucet. An expensive car repair. A new ache or pain. A recently purchased electronic device that works—well, inconsistently at best. And on and on.
One could view these concerns as part of life. One could also recognize nothing in the aforementioned list is uncommon in day-to-day existence. Stuff happens.
The bottom line is this—the attitudes or behaviors associated with “it’s always something” are usually loaded with negativity or glass half-empty thinking. On particular days we may begin to believe we are the only ones dealing with the volume of “somethings” that require, at the very least, our time and energy, and at worst, loss of sleep and large amounts of money.
So, how do we live with the inevitability of “it’s always something” without becoming perpetual grouches, or worse?
A few ideas . . .
Acceptance is a big part of dealing with any “something.” Not resignation. Not dejection and hands thrown up in anguish and anger. Rather, the acknowledgement that stuff is going to happen and while a certain amount of it may upend our day, the majority of it will not be as serious as it initially seems.
Pray. Not with the expectation the good Lord will snap his Godly fingers and solve the problem in an instant. Pray that to remain calm and be open to Spirit-led choices and actions.
Don’t panic. Interestingly enough, as I finished the first draft of this post and went to save it, I hit the wrong button. Really? Have done this for years and yet, in this moment, did not pay close enough attention. My heart sank to the basement. A couple hours of work, gone. I took a deep breath, and then mentioned what had happened to my beloved. Within minutes we located the “lost” document.
Try to find the humor in the circumstances. Admittedly, this can be a challenge at times. On the other hand, when we choose to accept, pray, and not panic, we might be surprised—in a good way—what we discover. The fact I could chuckle [yes, after I took the deep breath] when the document went bye-bye was due to the fact I discerned God might want me to write something else. That attitude and belief lifted a lot of pressure and worry to “recreate” what I had originally written.
While you and I don’t need to go looking for those “it’s always something” events [they will find us soon enough], we can make the choice to not let them throw us into a full-blown melt down. Rather, we can sink into the calm, hear the Lord’s voice, understand what we need to do—sometimes that means do nothing—and then trust God to provide insight and wisdom.
How do I feel about “it’s always something?”
What different choices could I make when the “somethings” happen?
Can I ask God to help me let go of my expectations and trust him amid the uncertainties?
