For Bible references in this video, check the description on YouTube.
Just about everyone finds something annoying in other people sometimes—even the most absolutely patient humans on earth. Being annoyed by someone is not inherently wrong, as it's impossible to find ALL people pleasant. But the reason why we're annoyed and how we respond to those annoyances can reveal a lot about our hearts.
Regardless of how irritated we are at someone for chewing with their mouth open or liking Nickelback or crowding into our personal space, we are always responsible for our own responses. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." Translation: Don't be a jerk. No one "makes us" yell at them just because we can't stand that they keep pausing the movie or they're pouring out the salt and making a mess at a restaurant. We are entirely responsible for our OWN choice of response.
If you're a person who is easily annoyed by others (I am one of those people, unfortunately), then you need to stop any hurtful thought or action before it starts. Take a step back. Ask God to show you WHY you're so touchy right now (Philippians 4:6). Ask Him to help you see what it is in your own heart that's responding so negatively to the inconsequential actions of others (Psalm 139:23-24).
Oftentimes, we get annoyed due to pride, fear, or selfishness. Maybe we get annoyed because we're afraid someone is making us look bad. Maybe we're super into music and get irritated when someone starts to give recommendations, but they have (in our opinion) garbage taste in music. Maybe we're annoyed because we don't want to be bothered by helping, listening, or investing in others.
Proverbs 4:23 says, "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life." Many people will get triggered by something "annoying" seemingly out of nowhere. And it's important for us to take the time, in humility, to examine our hearts and see if there's something festering in there we never noticed before.
Galatians 5:22-23 lists the Fruits of the Spirit, one of which is patience. No matter how frustrating a person is, we are called to display patience and love to them (John 13:35). Maybe we don't enjoy that process—and that's OK. With practice and prayer, God can soften even the most stubborn heart into one more tolerant and even loving of others.
No, being annoyed is not inherently wrong, but don't be a jerk about it. 😅
September is an avid film nerd from growing up on weekend trips to Universal Studios Hollywood. She is passionate about the intersections of Christian spirituality, faith, and storytelling in popular culture. Outside of 412teens and digging up obscure horror flicks from the 2000s, she works as a freelance developmental editor and acquisitions consultant while comforting her clingy feline floof, Faust, from the anxiety of existence.
