Have you ever said to yourself, “This is maddening!” I bet you have if you have had any number of encounters that involve customer service. In fact, because it can sometimes seem so rare, when a truly sincere associate makes a way for your concern, it is the best experience.

Recently, I had need to take my pets to a local veterinarian. The schedule was agreed upon weeks in advance and the expectation was for a minimum delay, at best, if other more pressing procedures were afoot.

I thought my personal doctor scheduling could be tough at times, but I had no idea what I was facing for my animals.

In a packed room of pets that looked like the canine version of the Star War’s bar scene creatures, I took up space against a wall and began my wait. The progression went from one hour late to one and one-half hour late to one hour forty-five minutes late. Suffice it to say, it was maddening.

The staff was friendly, albeit inattentive to the growing frustration of the room, and soldiered-on as best they seemed able.

Finally, I could wait no longer and informed the clinic staff I needed to leave to attend other responsibilities. It is likely I will not return. Again, not because the staff was unfriendly, just unable to meet reasonable expectations.

Like many, I decided I would write a short note to express my concerns to the clinic, offered a few ideas for best practices, and then sat down to write here.

As a person of religious faith, a faith that presumably guides my emotions among other actions, I took stock of how I was feeling and how I could stand-down from the maddening moments of a long and fruitless wait.

I was reminded of James, the New Testament writer. He said, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”

That is where my human nature would want to go. I would want my proverbial “pound of flesh” for not getting what I thought I had coming. Maybe you would, too. My guess is, yes.

So, I checked myself and decided there was little benefit personally and socially to a tantrum and decided I would let it go to try another day.

Something else happened. As I was preparing to leave, a lady came out from the examination room sobbing. I told her I was sorry for her loss.

She said, “He’s not gone yet.”

I said, “Then there is still hope,” at which she smiled and thanked me.

Maybe I was there, in that moment, to be a source of comfort for her even amidst my discomfort.

We will face all manner of maddening interactions throughout our days, but maybe we can find a silver lining if we just pay attention.

I could say, I have lost two hours of my life in cue at the clinic, or I might say it was not all that maddening after all.

Kent Simmons is the pastor of Canyon Community Church. He can be reached at kent@canyon-church.com.