No matter where you live, roads are treacherous. No matter what motivates you, you must find a way to keep your cool in traffic. When we’re not at peace, we’re prone to make mistakes. When you’re at peace, you’re powerful. Change your confession about traffic. Stop saying, “I hate traffic.” Here’s why. What we say has powerful impact on what we experience in life. Let’s say it with a smile, “I love traffic!” See, it wasn’t too hard was it? The more you say it, the more you’ll believe it. The more you believe, the less traffic will have a negative impact on you.

1. We live in such stressful times
that we automatically react
negatively to traffic. In the rat race
of life, we are easily irritated by
driving around, even when we’re not
in any particular hurry. A change of
mindset can alter the way we behave
in traffic.
Years ago, I lived in Hong Kong. It is
a bustling international city; people
from all over the world are there for
business opportunities. This city is
always on the run. During the time I
was there, I ministered a lot in
Europe and Asia. Whenever I stepped
off of the plane, even though I was
not in any hurry, I’d fall into the rat-race.
I’d rush to catch the subway or
the bus or the taxi. Even a leisurely
walk would turn into a brisk one.
One day it dawned on me that I was
sucked into the hurried lifestyle.
In America, we complain about
traffic routinely. It is almost a
conversation piece in the morning.
On the surface it may look innocent
but if we’re not careful, stress in
traffic can take a toll on our lives.
Today, let’s look at a few positive
ways to turn traffic into a productive
time.
Pray in traffic. I pray a lot in traffic.
Prayer is talking to God just as we do
with another person. It accomplishes
two things. One, I can pray for my
friends – that’s you. Two, when I
pray, it’s hard to complain or have a
bad attitude. Talking to God also
makes me feel safer. Of course, I
pray with my eyes open and I
recommend the same for you.
Praying helps me keep the focus off
me and on God and others. When I’m
not praying, I listen to worship
music. Instantly I feel the peaceful
presence of God. It is a great
substitute from getting irritated over
traffic.
Traffic helps build character. I lived
in Los Angeles for five years. You
may not believe me, but due to my
own insecurity, I had road rage.
When people cut me off, I’d speed
up to get alongside the stranger and
give them my death stare. I was
oblivious to the fact that gun owners
in Los Angeles practice their target
shooting in traffic! When I realized
my shortcoming, I made it my
personal growth plan (PGP) to
overcome my weakness. It took me
six months to get rid of anger.
Today, traffic doesn’t bother me. I
can honestly say, “I love traffic!”
Traffic is a great place to spread
your influence for good. In the past,
I’d not allow another vehicle to slide
in but now it’s easy. I often keep a
two or three car gap in front of me. I
slow down to let other cars squeeze
in front of me. Have you noticed;
when we’re courteous, others
follow? It is a great way to spread joy
and kindness and make a positive
deposit in others.
Traffic time can be educational. I
heard that if we spend one hour
listening to CDs or podcasts every
day for three years, you can become
an expert on the subject. This is
really powerful because it has
happened to me. I used to listen to
music or talk shows on the radio but
then I got more intentional about
using my time more effectively. I
downloaded free teachings and
sermons on subjects onto my iPod.
Now I learn while I drive.
Occasionally, I still rock with U2!
Roads are treacherous. No matter
what motivates you, you must find a
way to keep your cool in traffic.
When we’re not at peace, we’re
prone to make mistakes. When
you’re at peace, you’re powerful.
Change your confession about traffic.
Stop saying, “I hate traffic.” Here’s
why. What we say has powerful
impact on what we experience in
life. Let’s say it with a smile, “I love
traffic!” See, it wasn’t too hard was
it? The more you say it, the more
you’ll believe it. The more you
believe, the less traffic will have a
negative impact on you.
Friend, let’s change our perspective!
If you drive a car, you’re one of the
few privileged people in the world.
You’re sitting in a comfortable car
with your personal space. Be
thankful that you have a job to go to
or return to your loved ones at
home. Be kind and considerate. You
can brighten someone’s day by
simply allowing them to squeeze in
front of you. Smile instead of getting
sour and you can change the
atmosphere in traffic. When you
spend your time praying and learning
in traffic, you can be the number one
rat, in the rat-race of life! Sow
kindness and you’ll reap the same. I
pray and declare that you’ll never
complain about traffic again. Drive
safe. Drive happy. Spread a little
cheer along the way!
“When I was a child, I spoke and
thought and reasoned as a child. But
when I grew up, I put away childish
things” (I Corinthians 13:11 NLT).
Empowering You with
Sandy Anderson
I Love Traffic
SandyAndersonLive or
Build International Ministries
www.buildinternational.blogspot.com
www.buildinternational.org
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