I'm frustrated today Lord

You keep 'us' in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because 'we' trust in you. Isaiah 26:3 (Jenni's version)

I get frustrated sometimes.  I'm sure you do too.  Some days it seems that one thing after another goes wrong.  Maybe you over-sleep, then you drop your coffee, the phone rings when you are in the shower and it is a telemarketer, then the dog throws up, your boss doesn't listen to you - again - and you are late to your appointment.  In the car you say "Looorrrrd, I'm so frustrated.  Why is all of this happening?"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.  Proverbs 3:5,6

Frustration might last for a few minutes or a few weeks. It is not a straight path and it is a tool used by the powers of darkness, but It really is up to us how long we allow it to last. Frustration with life, like the things listed above, is not pleasant.  It makes you just grit your teeth and clench your fists and it darkens your mind and your thoughts.

Of course if you allow the frustration to continue, sometimes things get worse.  At least they do for me.  Peace from the Holy Spirit can melt that frustration away and give us a new perspective on the events around us. 

So why am I writing about this very common, and not too serious, issue?  I believe that frustration, if allowed to linger or to come upon us often, is the opposite of trusting in the Lord.  We shouldn't beat ourselves up for a little frustration now and then, but if we are quick to become frustrated, it can lead to anger and then we may develop a problem.

Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9



I read the other day that we have approximately 10,000 thoughts per day and that each day our thoughts are 90% the same as the day before.  So if our thoughts are filled with frustration, negativity and/or anger, that will be what our focus is on instead of the things of the Lord.  Instead we need to ask for the peace that passes all understanding which only comes from God. 

Good sense makes 'us' slow to anger, and it is 'our' glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 19:11 (Jenni's version)

I want to have good sense.  I don't want frustration to overtake me, make me cry, take my focus from good, positive things, and turn me to anger.  And I don't need to be frustrated.  I am never alone and the "small stuff" that sometimes gets to me IS important to my heavenly father.  He does care about the small stuff so that means that I don't have to.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10



My prayer for myself and for you is that on those days when everything goes wrong and we get frustrated, that we can stop and ask God to help us calm down and know that He is in control. Breathe, listen to Christian music, slow down even if you are late, and praise God for making something good come from all of it as He always does.  

Life is difficult and being a Christian is not always easy either.  Thankfully, unlike those who don't know God, we have a comforter who is always with us.  God is the perfect friend.  He is always there, always listens, always helps, and is not demanding or just wanting to talk about Himself.  Aren't we blessed to know such a wonderful friend.  

If you don't know this friend, please leave a comment for me so I can help you to know Him.  Ask Him to come into your heart and to forgive you for your sins and past wrong choices.  He will be there immediately.  He is waiting eagerly for you to ask.  

And for the rest of us, fight frustration with prayer.  Know that you are loved and try to smile through it all. 


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