When Bad Customer Service Makes You Want to Scream

It's not often that I find a company that doesn't have a FAQ page on its website that helps me through any technical question I have. It's even less often that I find a company that has bad customer service/support, or whatever they call it.

I'm just going to throw this out there: Twitter's customer support is bad. I don't care if I can tweet about the question. If I can't chat with someone online, call someone, or find a forum or support page that answers my question, it's bad customer service.

What can we do when we have a bad customer service experience? Well, obviously we can blog about it, but what else? Scream about it. Cry about it. I suppose we could curse them out too. But does it really help? Well, blogging helps me because it's therapeutic somehow to put my frustrations down on the page. But does it really help?

It certainly won't solve my problem.

What can we do when that happens? When we're more frustrated at the end of our customer service experience than we were at the beginning?

Personally, when the call is over and my question is still not answered, when my frustration is through the roof, I like to have a bit of a cry until I feel better, and then go back over my question, determine if I can make it more clear, and try again (often hoping the same person won't answer the phone).

When a company doesn't have an email address or a phone number to contact, however, it doesn't feel like I've done all I can to resolve the issue, and it can even feel like resolving the issue is impossible.

I guess today I wanted to talk about things we can do instead of reacting in our frustration. I think it's too much to ask that we never become frustrated when customer service goes bad. So, when we're about to blow our tops, and react badly to bad customer service, we can:

• Pray
• Send up a quick prayer for patience in dealing with a frustrating person or situation.
• Breathe.
• Take a deep breath before saying something we'll have to ask God's forgiveness for later.
• Remain calm
• Often it isn't the support person's fault that we don't understand something
• Hang up and call again.
• If we need to end the call to collect ourselves, we should. Be as polite as possible.
• Bear in mind that if there was a long wait, it could be worse the next time.
• Put them on mute, and then scream.
• Don't scare them by forgetting to press the mute button.

These are just a few that I came up with. Do you have any?

I guess we shouldn't complain about customer service too much though, since "Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart" (Ecclesiastes 7:3). After all, if we're never frustrated, if we're never challenged, we won't be able to learn or grow.

So, the next time we face a challenge with a company's customer support department, let's remember that frustration is actually good for us.

Be Anxious About...Everything?

So, in keeping with my previous post, I wanted to do a follow-up today about anxiety. I wouldn't be writing this today without this post about anxiety. I want to once again recommend this blog. It's awesome. The author is awesome. Some of her posts are about children and family stuff, which doesn't apply to my life right now, but they're still good reads, and every once in a while some posts, like this one ↑ really speak to me, my situation, or what I'm thinking about.

Fear and anxiety are very similar, but not the same. Not exactly. For me, fear is gripping, terrifying, and usually only for a short period, sometimes creating a "fight or flight" response. Anxiety is not as intense, creates nervous energy, but it lasts much longer. Both can cause a lack of sleep, and heart palpitations. In my opinion.

The Bible says "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7).

Now, in some situations, like the one she talks about in her post, anxiety is normal. Being anxiously excited about trying something new, or starting a new job are good reasons to be a little anxious. It's normal. But if the anxiety is keeping you from sleep, it's time to pray about it and place it in God's hands.

After I got all my wisdom teeth taken out, I was having trouble sleeping. There had been a complication during the extraction, and my heart (I have a congenital heart defect) had sped up due to the epinephrine and I couldn't slow it down so they had to put me on oxygen and the laughing gas before they could continue. So, I was having a little anxiety before going to sleep. It was like I was afraid I'd be asleep and not know if something happened to my heart. But that's silly. First of all, I have no control over that, and secondly, it was the epinephrine that caused the problem. My heart doesn't randomly speed up for no reason.

So, one of my dear friends sent me this quote:

When we become anxious about something, the best thing we can do is to lay it at God's feet and leave it there. We pray about it, hand the situation over to Him, and trust that He can and will handle it. And then, leave it with Him. Don't pick it up and look at it; don't worry about it anymore.

Jesus said Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34).

Focus on today. Focus on what you need to do. Whatever you're going through, don't worry so much about it. Do one thing today to help you get closer to getting through it, even if the only thing you can do today is pray about it - especially if the only thing you feel you can do today is pray about it.

God bless you. Have a great Memorial Day weekend. Stay safe, and remember to pray for America's military and their families this weekend.

The Fear that Grips Us

I'm a scaredy-cat. I'm afraid of getting outside of my comfort zone. I'm afraid of going new places by myself. I'm afraid of trying new things by myself. I'm afraid of looking like an idiot. I'm afraid of meeting new people. I'm afraid of being embarrassed. I'm also afraid of spiders...

But I'm working to get outside of my comfort zone. I recently asked to join my church's praise and worship team, and I'm terrified of being up in front of people. A couple Sundays ago, my Sunday school teacher was going to preach, but she was a little sick, so she needed someone to read the longer Bible verses for her sermon. After she mentioned this, she glanced at me twice in class, but didn't ask me. I volunteered. I'm trying to get out of my comfort zone in little ways...well, I guess for me they're big ways...in a safe environment like my church. The Sunday after that, an apostle who attends our church was preaching and had me read verses from the book of Joshua. It was much easier that time, despite having a bit of a cold myself that week.

Currently, I'm also learning Japanese. Recently, my penfriend from Japan suggested that we each only talk in our secondary languages to each other. My first thought was that it would be much easier for him to speak in English than it would be for me to speak in Japanese. I was scared at first, and didn't have a lot to say, but I'm gaining more confidence in my knowledge of Japanese. As I practice, it gets easier for me to speak the language. It was fun speaking only in Japanese for the hour we have to talk to each other.

I'm still not ready to walk up to someone on the street and start a conversation in Japanese. I barely feel comfortable doing that in English!

It's not easy to get me out of my comfort zone. And sometimes it's beyond "not easy." Sometimes it's so difficult I'm absolutely sure I won't be able to overcome the fear. But if the fear is the worst part (and it is), what am I even afraid of?

So, for this post, I want to explore what the Bible says about fear.

To be afraid

The rest of the people will hear of this and be afraid, and never again will such an evil thing be done among you (Deuteronomy 19:20).

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he let his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors" (1 Kings 19:3-4).

But the official told Daniel, "I am afraid of my lord the king, who has assigned your food and drink. Why should he see you looking worse than the other young men your age? The king would then have my head because of you" (Daniel 1:10).

All the sailors were afraid and each cried out to his own god. And they threw the cargo into the sea to lighten the ship (Jonah 1:5).

Fear Not

"It's all right," he said. "Don't be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver." Then he brought Simeon out to them (Genesis 43:23). - The story of Joseph

Moses answered the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again" (Exodus 14:13).

The Lord said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon" (Numbers 21:34).

Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God himself will fight for you (Deuteronomy 3:22).

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).

And now, my daughter, don't be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character (Ruth 3:11).

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16) - By the way, go read this whole chapter. It is so amazing!

The Lord is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid (Psalm 27:1).

The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? (Psalm 118:6).

Jesus said Do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28).

So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows (Matthew 10:31).

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid" (Matthew 14:27).

and said, "Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar, and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you" (Acts 27:24).

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown (Revelation 2:10).

The most well-known verse about fear is probably "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10). In the KJV, this starts with "Fear not."

Now, before I end this post, I want to take a minute to tell you all that no matter how well-meaning, using this verse to "comfort" someone after you know they've just faced a fear - like speaking in front of people - DOES NOT HELP! We already know the verse and all you're doing is making us feel even worse, like we're failing by being afraid. So skip the platitudes, tell us we did a good job or something, and then stop talking about it!

Those were some good verses about fear, though. I particularly liked the Psalms. When God is protecting us, we really have nothing to fear. So, those are my thoughts about fear and the Bible verses I found about fear. I hope you learned something today, just as I did.

I Give Myself Away

So, I am working on the post about Fear. It's just taking me a little while to find all the Bible verses I want to use, and to compile my thoughts and then edit it. Hopefully I'll get it posted sometime next week. In the meantime, I didn't want to leave you guys hanging with no post.

Tadah! A song recommendation!

We can't keep any part of ourselves from God. We have to give ourselves to Him so that we can be used for His glory. In comparison to Him, our selfish desires are insignificant. We have to seek first what He wants for our lives, and be truly prepared to accept that.

I know. So much easier to talk about sometimes.
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"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me'" (Matthew 16:24).

Not Enough Time

Some days it feels like there just isn't enough time to do everything I want. Whether it's a long list of things I have to do, or if part of that list includes things I want to do - like finishing a good book - some days it seems like time just whizzes past.

Today was one of those days. It started off well, and I did manage to accomplish most of the things on my list, but by the time I got to some of them, I noticed it was already nearly 3:00. I couldn't believe it!

When days like today happen, when I start to think there won't be enough time to accomplish everything, I like to take a deep breath, and focus on checking one thing off my list at a time. When I've accomplished a few more things after my initial "It's that time already!?" I take another deep breath, and then really consider if something on my list really needs to be done today.

If it absolutely does, I do it. If not, if it's not something so urgent that my day would be incomplete without it (like a blog post) or my house might fall down around my ears if I don't do it, then I reevaluate if it's something that actually needs to be done today. If it still needs to be done today but it doesn't need to be done this second, I take a break. I pick up that book I'm reading, and go through another chapter. Then, when I feel calmer, more relaxed, and less panicked about the time, I check another thing off my list - like folding the laundry.

It's all about perspective. Our lives today can be so fast-paced that it's easy to panic if we look at the clock and realize we haven't done as much as we wanted. But it's nice sometimes to reflect on what's really important on our lists - spending time with family and friends, taking a walk in the cool evening air, playing with your kids or your pets (whichever you have), or just taking a quick moment to breathe and thank God for another marvelous day, even if it's been a little stressful.

It's not good to get too busy. We must sometimes make the time to breathe and listen to God's still, small voice.

Today, I wish you all joy and peace. Remember to breathe.
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"Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, 'Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest'" (Mark 6:31).

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Update: Right now it looks like I'm going to be doing my next research post on fear. However, I'm going to take my time with it and do the research properly. I have started a rough draft, however.