Overcoming the spirit of frustration

Frustration comes as a result of many things; the cause can range from small things to big, what causes it is subjective to individuals. It is defined as “the feeling of being upset or annoyed, especially because of inability to change or achieve something.” It can be due to failure to achieve good results or due to failure to change wrongs or difficult situations.

However, either way we look at it, it is usually a negative reaction. We react, we become angry, we put lots of energy on ‘what should have been’, ‘what should happen’, or ‘why it happened’. We ask ‘why me?’, we go overboard looking for ways to reverse a situation, ways to get the results we want, ways to get our way! We grieve!

Frustration comes when the flesh is fully at work, when we are imposing our way into a situation, when we do not want to accept certain kinds of news, when we do not want to believe or accept certain outcomes; the list is endless. But what if we let go?

Letting go does not mean we give up, it means letting go of the urge or need to control things or people.

What if we stopped obsessing over the negative and spend that energy on doing good? What if we stopped allowing the flesh to control us?

Obsessing over a situation does not change it; it only makes us a slave to that situation. We become fear-laded, we fear outcomes, we fear the future. Yet what we do not realize is that when we give in to fear, we give power to what we fear. We attract what we fear.

Frustration usually means we are walking by sight and not by faith. We start questioning God and the people around us, we get angry, we become unpleasant; we give the enemy a doorway into our lives.

Jesus told us to go to Him when we are burdened.

Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I Am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28-29.

Yet most times we forget where our help comes from. Most times when we face difficulties we start running using our own strength. Soon we get worn out. Anything done in the flesh is not sustainable. We have no power to overcome obstacles by ourselves. Without God we are not. We start laying foundation on sand, and when even the slightest wind blows, our whole building collapses. We put ourselves on the line of the enemy.

The enemy realizes our struggles, he comes and starts giving us easy solutions, but what he never tells us is the cost. The enemy never gives anything for free! There is always a cost; he always wants something and he leaves us in ruins.

When we realize we have a God who loves us, we will start approaching the storms of life differently. God loves us and He gives us direction using His Living Word. He tells us to listen to Him and do what He tells us. However, He does not force us; He wants us to choose to follow Him, and when we do, everything changes.

Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rains come in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock…

But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. Matthew 7:24-27.

The enemy knows the human mind too well; he wants us to get so frustrated that we reach a point of desperation, and when we get desperate, he starts toying around with us, he knows a desperate heart is easy to deceive.

A desperate heart tries to look for answers in all places.

When we want something so much, we start accepting all sorts of opinions, we open our lives to people who wish us no good; we open ourselves to attacks from the enemy. May we never reach that point. May we never forget where our help comes from.

Our help comes from God, maker of heaven and earth, Who knew us before we were born into this earth. He predestined us. He wills us good. Why do we forget that? Why do we start putting our trust in people? Why do we forget so easily! People will fail us over and over again, people will laugh at us, people will run away from us, people will take advantage. But God remains steady, unchanging, ever-present; He loves us in ways inconceivable by our human imagination and mind.

You will seek those who quarrel with you, but you will not find them, those who war with you will be nothing and non-existent. ‘For I Am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you. Isaiah 41:12-13.

God is our ever present help in times of need. He is always ready and available to help us if we only ask. We run impatient and run ourselves into destruction. God’s way is the only way that leads to life. It seems narrow yet it remains the only way.

The enemy does not care about us; he only wants us for his benefit, and when he is done with us, he leaves us weary and worn out, confused, in pain, and in total destruction.

But blessed be our God. Through Christ we have the way of truth and life. Through Him we have access to our Father in heaven. Through Him, we have hope. We know we do not walk alone in this world, God is with us.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Romans 5:6.

Through Christ we were made right with God the Father and we were saved from condemnation. The truth of God’s Word is what gives us hope. The enemy has no power over us.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28.

When we learn to hold things of this world loose, and put our faith in God, we will not be swayed. We will not allow passing storms to blow us away; we will not allow frustration to take root in our hearts. Whatever the outcome of our situations, we know that God got us and He will never allow us to get tested beyond what we can handle. In the storm, He is there. We rest in God’s unfailing love.

When we tell God, ‘Your will be done in our lives’, we let go of control. We align our will with His will. Our own paths usually lead us to destruction, but when we are aligned with God, things fall into place. God closes doors that were not good for us. He then directs us into paths that work for our good.

It is okay to grieve over lost opportunities, lost friendships, lost relationships; but we should never allow the spirit of frustration into our lives. We grieve over giving up ‘our way’, we die to self. Then, we surrender to God. God takes over and does amazing things in our lives. He restores what the enemy stole many times over. He restores our joy. He gives us peace. He blesses our lives here on earth. He leads us into everlasting life.

Blessings.

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