On The Other Side of Frustration

 

On the other side of every frustration is a teachable moment; the gold is worth the fire. Getting to the other side of a teachable moment however, is not fun. The fire gets hot and we want….O-U-T.

 

In moments of frustration, here are two options:

 

1) To continue on in our frustration, perhaps even escalating it or

 

2) To choose to believe that God is a Redeemer, most importantly of people, but also perhaps of the frustrating moments we encounter.

 

Some of our frustrations are small. The washing machine quits working, the car dies, the flu hits, it’s garbage day and no one took the garbage out. Some of them are big. Career doors close, tornados hit, life altering health problems arise.

 

These inconveniences, for the most part, result from the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. If there had been no fall, there would be no inconveniences, frustrations, or brokenness. And for the redeemed Christ will someday return. But today, we do not live in that someday; we live here on earth and the question is, what do we do with the our frustrations?

 

Here are a few things I have found helpful.

 

1. Perspective. One thing we dislike about life’s inconveniences is that they cost us time which is limited. Remember the moments of our lives are not ours, they are given to us by God. Inconveniences may disrupt our plans but not His.

 

2. Taking the moment as the moment not the whole. My mom reminds me often that the bible says over “and it came to pass..” not “and it came to stay”.

 

3. Breathing. Nice and slowly. Inhale. Exhale. In the heat of your frustration focusing on anything other than your frustration (even breathing), helps.

 

4. Psalms. The Psalms are helpful in trying times because as you read them you will not feel so alone in your frustration, despair, or sadness. For example-

 

“Attend to me, and answer me; I am restless in my complaint and I moan.” Psalm 55:2

 

“For I am poor and needy, and my heart is stricken within me.” Psalm 109:22

 

Yet the Psalms renew our hope with writings such as-

 

“Who is like the Lord our God, who is seated on high, who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes.” Psalm 113:7,8

 

5. Time. The last time I got a traffic ticket I asked my husband (who prior had received a ticket) how long it would take me to get over my frustration. He told me about three days, and that was about right for a speeding ticket. Some frustrations take more time than others, but if your heart is even semi pliable time usually helps.

 

6. I Corinthians 10:13, do not forget the second half.

 

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13.

 

God decides both what we can handle and how He will help us handle it.

 

7. Watch for God. He is working in the situation.

I know that in your present frustration what you really want is a O-U-T. I am sorry to report that often the only way to the other side of a frustration is through it. I am glad to report that you do not have to go through it alone.

Reach for the teachable moment.

 

 

"“So that we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’”                                                                                                                            Hebrews 13:6

(References in English Standard Version)