The Battles of Frustration
Even though I’m not the youngest rooster in the barnyard, I still sometimes have issues with frustration. It never seems to disappear.
If you asked me five years ago about where I would be in 2009, I would have given you a list of where I’d be living, what I’d be doing, what my wife and Kids would be busy with, etc. Even though there were many questions to be answered, I was sure of many things and had a decent grasp on the future and my plans for the future.
Times change. Sometimes God can throw you a curve ball and allow drastic changes to take place within your life and disrupt all of your plans. It can get very trying and frustrating when things don’t go as you plan.
Do you have unfulfilled expectations? Is there an unmet need in your life, or has a dream been shattered? From personal experience, I can tell you that sometimes in life we experience setbacks and failures. We work towards a goal, only to see it thwarted. We have an image in our minds of the perfect family, career, or lifestyle—yet there are many times we fail to live up to those images.
Even though I’m not the youngest rooster in the barnyard, I still sometimes have issues with frustration. It never seems to disappear.
If you asked me five years ago about where I would be in 2009, I would have given you a list of where I’d be living, what I’d be doing, what my wife and Kids would be busy with, etc. Even though there were many questions to be answered, I was sure of many things and had a decent grasp on the future and my plans for the future.
Times change. Sometimes God can throw you a curve ball and allow drastic changes to take place within your life and disrupt all of your plans. It can get very trying and frustrating when things don’t go as you plan.
Do you have unfulfilled expectations? Is there an unmet need in your life, or has a dream been shattered? From personal experience, I can tell you that sometimes in life we experience setbacks and failures. We work towards a goal, only to see it thwarted. We have an image in our minds of the perfect family, career, or lifestyle—yet there are many times we fail to live up to those images.
Hopes and dreams are not bad—they inspire us to keep going. But when dreams fail, they leave us confused, disillusioned and sometimes totally devastated. Unfulfilled expectations are painful. They can even be traumatic, especially when we have put our whole hope and planned our futures on these expectations.
After 20 years of working for the government, I noticed that it’s amazing how fifteen minor frustrations at work can add up to one big, bad attitude by the time you head for home. Frustrations come in three varieties:
After 20 years of working for the government, I noticed that it’s amazing how fifteen minor frustrations at work can add up to one big, bad attitude by the time you head for home. Frustrations come in three varieties:
- Interruptions: unexpected delays when you have a deadline to meet or something important requires your attention. No matter how well we plan, at times our best plans are often interrupted.
- Inconveniences: inconveniences are usually situations involving things: the copy machine breaks down, traffic jams on the roadway, or something disappears when you need it.
- Irritations: Long delays, unreliable people, playing telephone tag, illness, obnoxious clients, etc.In all actuality, you can’t eliminate these. You will face all three varieties this week, but you can keep them from stressing you out.
Though you cannot eliminate them, one tremendous way to reduce stress is to learn how to manage your frustrations.
- Don’t resist it, but don’t overreact or blow up.
- Don’t resent it; don’t internalize you anger.
- Don’t resign to it; don’t have a pity-party.
Instead, do what you can to reduce it. Treat it as insignificant. Put the frustration into proper perspective. Though it can seem very traumatic, it’s just a minor setback, a part of living, no big deal! I’m sure you’ve heard this statement before so follow these two rules for stress management:
RULE #1: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
RULE #2: Recognize that it’s all small stuff!
The Bible says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience…” Proverbs 19:11
The only way we can see all stuff as small stuff is to view it from God’s perspective. When I am in tune with God, I remember He has everything under control even though I don’t! So I don’t have to sweat it: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).
If your church or pastor is of any worth, they can help you work through your frustration, there are times you need to talk to someone. When I was facing the troubles and trials of previous years, the Lord allowed me to spend time with a couple of Pastor friends of mine and they were a tremendous blessing to me as I recovered from the trauma that had taken place in my life. Just talk to someone in the church that you trust. Sit down with them and talk about life's problems, being able to talk about it with an objective and confidential source can make you feel a lot better. If they give you any advice, make sure it goes along with what God’s word says. Just because they may seem to be a good Christian or pastor does not mean they wouldn’t give you advice that is contrary to God’s word. The most powerful tool at your disposal however is prayer. Talk with God and ask for His help and guidance through the times.
Frustration is hard to overcome, but with help it can be.
In John 16:33, Jesus says: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world."
Being a Christian doesn't mean that we will not experience difficult times. God has told us the truth, that at times life will be difficult. He has provided to us a way to overcome these tough times, by following Jesus' teachings and surrendering our lives to Him. His peace is amazing and His love is unmatched. You can rest in trusting that He is working all things for the good. Victory through tough times comes by staying connected to other believers, reading Gods word, trusting God, praying, worshiping and staying free from sins grip on us through forgiveness. If you are troubled today, lift your head up and realize your Saviors love for you. He has promised to never leave you or turn His back on you.
RULE #1: Don’t sweat the small stuff.
RULE #2: Recognize that it’s all small stuff!
The Bible says, “A man’s wisdom gives him patience…” Proverbs 19:11
The only way we can see all stuff as small stuff is to view it from God’s perspective. When I am in tune with God, I remember He has everything under control even though I don’t! So I don’t have to sweat it: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).
If your church or pastor is of any worth, they can help you work through your frustration, there are times you need to talk to someone. When I was facing the troubles and trials of previous years, the Lord allowed me to spend time with a couple of Pastor friends of mine and they were a tremendous blessing to me as I recovered from the trauma that had taken place in my life. Just talk to someone in the church that you trust. Sit down with them and talk about life's problems, being able to talk about it with an objective and confidential source can make you feel a lot better. If they give you any advice, make sure it goes along with what God’s word says. Just because they may seem to be a good Christian or pastor does not mean they wouldn’t give you advice that is contrary to God’s word. The most powerful tool at your disposal however is prayer. Talk with God and ask for His help and guidance through the times.
Frustration is hard to overcome, but with help it can be.
In John 16:33, Jesus says: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer! For I have overcome the world."
Being a Christian doesn't mean that we will not experience difficult times. God has told us the truth, that at times life will be difficult. He has provided to us a way to overcome these tough times, by following Jesus' teachings and surrendering our lives to Him. His peace is amazing and His love is unmatched. You can rest in trusting that He is working all things for the good. Victory through tough times comes by staying connected to other believers, reading Gods word, trusting God, praying, worshiping and staying free from sins grip on us through forgiveness. If you are troubled today, lift your head up and realize your Saviors love for you. He has promised to never leave you or turn His back on you.
