By Chris WittsSaturday 22 Oct 2022Morning Devotions with Chris WittsFaithReading Time: 1 minute
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Transcript:
Frustrations, how do you feel about them? Unfortunately, we live in an imperfect world, and we deal with all levels of frustrations day by day. Now the problem with frustration is it can cripple you. It can be hard to pinpoint exactly where it comes from as well.
For example, I get frustrated with slow drivers. I need to calm down. But what is frustration? The dictionary tells us it’s the feeling of being upset or annoyed as a result of being unable to change or achieve something. Do you remember that feeling when you’re a child and an adult just wouldn’t believe that you didn’t pull your brother’s hair? Or that the dog really did eat your homework? Even when you were for once telling the truth, there’s absolutely nothing you could do to change their mind. So the situations you face in your adult life might be very different to these, but the frustration you feel is the same. It’s a natural emotional response to stress.
And most of us experience this when we’re dealing with situations we can’t control, particularly if we’re annoyed or upset about someone or something. Every human being sees the world differently. We were raised differently. We all experience life differently, and these experiences are among the things that make us unique.
It certainly makes life interesting, but sometimes challenging and annoying. People walk around with a negative mood, and all they need is a small push to evoke feelings of anger and frustration. Therefore, you need to look for ways to handle these feelings in a positive way, and having a positive mental attitude can go a long way in promoting your own health and wellbeing.
Frustration from God’s perspective
But help comes from God, maker of heaven and earth. He knew us before we were born. He wants good things for us. But why do we forget that? Why do we start putting our trust in people? Why do we forget people will fail us over and over again. They’ll laugh at us. People will run away from us and people will take advantage. But God remains steady, unchanging, ever present. He loves us in ways that are inconceivable by our own human imagination and mind, so frustrations and disappointments will come.
But in Him you’ll have a short offence. And when we say to God, your will be done in my life, we let go of the control. We align our will with his will. Our own paths usually lead us the wrong way. But when we are lined up with God, things fall into place. God closes doors that were not good enough for us, and he directs us into paths that work for our own good.
It may take time, but trusting in God for each day is the best thing to do. The Christian leader Rick Warren used to say, “Take a different look at frustrations.” He said. “You don’t have to be thankful for a bad situation, but you can be thankful in a bad situation. Frustration may be a blessing in disguise.”
Now that’s an interesting comment. In other words, God is doing a bigger work in your life, and he can use the frustrations for your advantage if you leave it to him. Trust him that even in the bad times He’s working a miracle in your life and the God who is in charge of the entire universe, is able to handle whatever the matter is in my life. We do our part with the adversity until it comes to pass, but we can turn it over to God. He can work it out in His time and for His will and purpose. And yes, there is a purpose behind adversity. Pray about the situation and ask God through Jesus to give you a better view of what’s going on. His wisdom and knowledge is greater than yours.
So frustration. It’s often a result of our own failure and being disappointed in ourselves. We find ourselves in a state of frustration because we just can’t control things.
If you look at the New Testament, Jesus himself faced constant frustrations, but he never got irritated. He always made time for people. We get so preoccupied with our own things that we forget that people are the priority in life. So what’s your priority? Are you just living for your own pleasures and purposes?
Let’s Pray
Dear God, frustrations can sometimes be part of my life. I ask for your forgiveness and Your grace. Help me, Lord, to learn in the midst of my frustrations that all is well simply because I trust you in the middle of my frustrations. That you’re going to work all these things out. And I look forward to you doing that in the name of Jesus, Amen.