It Starts Small

What does frustration mean to you? DO you ever struggle with being frustrated over a person or situation? What does it feel like to you?

Dictionary.com defines frustration as, feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something. To me, frustration feels like little tickles of anger that build up a volcano of wrath that explodes. IT’s the little annoyances in a day from seemingly every angle that build up until a final piece of straw breaks the camel’s back.

Our English definition says it is a “feeling.” Part of our discipleship journey is to learn to not let emotions control us. God’s Word gives us an immediate cure:

⁸ Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Psalm 37:8

I know, I am human, too. How do we stop frustration before it turns into full on wrath?

Lesson from the Blubber Hotel

Jonah is a great example of a man who was frustrated. We all know the story of Jonah. GOd called him to preach to a town he felt did not deserve God’s compassion so he went the opposite direction. After three nights on a blubber mattress, he went to the town as God commanded.

Have you ever felt frustrated with God because of the direction he has sent you? I know I have! Sometimes I have cried out to God, you said and promised this, why is it not happening? We can act just like Jonah when we let fear, doubt or stubbornness into our lives. Just in Jonah’s case, sometimes we need to spend a few nights in the hotel whale for us to see God does not intend us to be frustrated. He intends for us to be faithful and trust in Him and His timing.

Lessons From Waiting

Sarah and Abraham. I like to believe that Sarah and Abraham made a lot of bad decisions out of frustration. They grew impatient with waiting for a promise God gave them. They grew so impatient they decided to do GOd’s work for him and Abraham went to Sarah’s handmaiden and conceived a child with her. Instead of waiting.God promised them a mighty people would be born out of them. At age 90 and 99 God reminded them they were going to have a son. They laughed. I mean who wouldn’t laugh. Come to me when I’m 90 and I’d laugh, too.

Waiting upon the promise of God can be frustrating. WHen we are waiting for something important and get told to wait longer it can be frustrating and discouraging. In this sort of frustration, we can try to take things in our own hands, and that only leads to even more frustration.

Spirit of Frustration

Jesus seemed to be frustrated with His disciples. They had been walking with Jesus. They were eyewitness to miracles and hearers of truth, yet on that night when their ship was about to sink, they threw it all out the window. Jesus asks, do you not understand, how do you not understand? Jesus never lost the Spirit of love and did not react to them with anger.

Jesus shows us, just like anger, there is a fine line. You can angry because someone has wronged you. Unrighteous anger is taking that anger and making all attempts to hurt the other person. Righteous anger is allow God to deal with the situation and instead of taking justice in your own hands, forgiving them, and pouring God’s love, grace and mercy out. Frustration is the same way. We can get frustrated but we have to recognize what frustration is.

Frustration is an emotion. A tickle of anger. How we react in the moment is very important. We need to seek Jesus and our Heavenly Father right away. Do not wait. As the verse above says, do not dwell in anger. Frustration can be God’s way to get our attention and say hey, look up here, not down there. WHat can we do in the midst of frustration?

Rest

³ The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

Rest is God’s never ending care and love for us!

Help is a prayer away!

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16

Quickly cast that frustration on the alter and seek Jesus right away. Allow Him to quench the fires of anger and reveal to you the source.

His Timeline, His will

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4

God has not forgotten His promises to you. HE has purpose and when we trust in Him, he will perform the good work in you he has promised to those who love him!

Trials bring Maturity

¹² Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Romans 12:12

Persevering and enduring trials in our life bring us maturity in our faith. God works, courage, trust, and grace through us to give us wisdom in all season of life.

God is in control

¹⁴ The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace. Exodus 14:14

Hold onto the peace that God brings in knowing that He is in complete control!

What frustrations are you experiencing today?
What is God working through these frustrations to show you, about yourself?
Are your expectations and Selfishness or Pride causing your frustration?
What is God’s purpose and His will in your situation?

Ask and seek Him, he will reveal all truth to you!