What does Frustration Lead Me to?

Frustration is normal in a good human being. But what does frustration lead you to? When can frustration be abnormal?

Frustration should not lead me to long for a death! (1 Kings 19:1-18)

Elijah was a man who powerfully demonstrated the power of Yahweh, the God of the Bible. A man who proved himself to be a “hero” the previous day felt that he was a “zero” the next day. He could not trust that, the same God who empowered him in the previous incidents in his life would protect him from the hands of Jezebel, the wicked queen. Sadly, he prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors."

The reason for his frustration was a misconception of a reality! Elijah felt that he was the “only one” available for the job of a prophet! Because he was a true follower of Yahweh until then, God graciously manifested his presence and guided him and dispelled him from his cranky idea! God told him not to wish for a death because he had a long way to go after that encounter! He gave him the providence of food to strengthen his body and a spiritual encounter to strengthen his soul!

How often we pray against the will of God, after tasting the goodness of God in our lives!  Is the frustration in my life due to some misconception thinking that I am the “only” one available for the job! I need the wisdom of God to dispel myself of that. In the plan of God none of us are indispensable! In Elijah’s case there were 7000 other prophets available for his job!  I also should know that I have a long way to go! A prayer to end my life curtails me of the very purpose of my life on earth! In times of frustration, turn to God for He will strengthen you physically and spiritually!

Frustration should not lead me to a harsh talk! (Malachi 3: 13-18)

A remnant of the post-exilic community of Israel after their hardships at Babylon was graciously brought back to their land by the intervention of God. A group of people who had served God and carried out his requirements were hasty enough to see an imminent judgement for the evil doers. Their frustration led to a harsh talk against God! To them God said, “You have said harsh things against me,"  "Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.” 

Another group who equally was affected by the evil doers in the same time, instead of turning hostile, continued to fear God. They found joy in fellowshipping with like-minded people and talked matters that honoured God! The LORD listened and heard their conversation. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning this faithful group! The faithful ones are a group who wait for the justice of God! Those who cannot wait for God to do justice end up in a harsh talk! We have a God who hears us and looks for our faithfulness in waiting for Him to act! In times of frustration, turn to fellowshipping with people who fear God in their lives for an attitudinal change to happen in your life!

Frustration should not rule my life! (Psalm 73)

 Asaph, a Levite and a singer served in Jerusalem for all of David's reign. He gave music to many of the songs that David wrote. He lived through David’s son Solomon’s reign too. After a promising beginning, Solomon turned his back on God and pursued power, wealth, luxury, and human wisdom, as well as worship of other gods. To finance these pursuits the people were oppressed with slavery and taxes. Asaph saw Solomon become a wicked man. It is also believed that Asaph's brother Zechariah was assassinated in the temple by Solomon's agents.  After Solomon's death, Asaph, then a very old man saw David's kingdom torn into two. The northern kingdom rejected the Levites and the temple. Many of Asaph's relatives who served in the temple as musicians perished in a kingdom where there was no reverence for God.

(Read more about Asaph at: http://www.hfbcbiblestudy.org/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=482 )

Who would not be frustrated in a situation where one finds leaders failing from their commitments, ruthless killing of their own blood related brothers and relatives? With pain in his heart Asaph penned the psalm. He progressively pours out verses of frustration of all kinds.  It gets to its peak in the following verses: “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.  All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.” (V.13-14)

Venting out feelings in a poem can only give a partial healing from frustration. As a faithful follower of God, Asaph, however did not conclude his song with a wrong note. He says that he would have betrayed his children if he had propagated this message around. He found that the systems of the world were oppressive “until” he went to the sanctuary of the Lord. He got to understand the eternal destiny of people of different kinds. He got confident of the fact that those who were away from God will perish eternally. But Asaph in spite of the oppressive factors in his life chose to remain close to God for it is He who would guide him with His counsel and take him to eternal glory! In times of frustration, turn to the Bible or go to a church and get to know the Word of God which will help widen your thinking to see things beyond your present level of frustration!

REMAINING IN FRUSTRATION RUINS LIFE! IT IS GOD WHO HEALS US FROM FRUSTRATION RULING OUR LIVES!