What Does the Bible say about Frustration?

We are living in some “trying times” right now which have led me to feel frustrated more often than I’d like.  Sometimes minor frustrations build up and lead to feelings of anger and annoyance. There have been times in the past when the things God has allowed in my life have left me feeling frustrated.  I’d like to banish the negative emotional responses to frustration before they take root and learn how to deal with them in a positive way.  I know where I need to look- What does the Bible say about frustration?

Frustrated Bible Characters

Let’s gain some insight and explore people in the Bible who experienced frustration.

Jonah

Jonah was mighty frustrated when God asked him to go to Nineveh to preach His word.  He didn’t think the people of Nineveh deserved God’s gracious compassion, so he ran away.  We all know how the story went after that- Jonah sails away, a big storm comes up, Jonah gets thrown overboard, swallowed by a whale, and spit up on dry land after 3 days.

Have you ever felt frustrated with God and turn in the opposite direction of where He’s leading?

We can act like Jonah when we let fear or stubbornness take up residence with our frustrations.

In truth, He is never far from us.  He is right by our side and never stops trying to bring us closer to Himself.

Sometimes it takes a storm to make us realize how much He loves and cares for us.  It is never His intent to frustrate us.

Abraham and Sarah

God called Abraham to be the father of His great nation when he was 75 and promised him offspring. His wife Sarah had yet to bear any children, so it was a joyous surprise.

Years go by, however, without children. God again promises Abraham a son.  Sarah becomes frustrated by what she perceives as an unkept promise and persuades Abraham to sleep with her servant to produce an heir. That situation doesn’t go well, but a son, Ishmael, is born when Abraham is 86!

Finally, when Abraham is 99 years old, and Sarah 90, God again promises a son for them. They both laugh it off as impossible, but God keeps His promise.  Isaac is born, and Abraham lives another 75 years.

Abraham showed great faith in following God’s directions when moving his family to Canaan. 

He asks God for clarification when he had doubts (Gen 15:8) and was obedient.  He stumbles a few times, especially with his promised offspring.  Abraham felt frustrated with God’s timing (25 years!) and took matters into his own hands. (No finger-pointing here from me…I’ve done the same thing…)

But when we’re waiting for something important, it’s frustrating and discouraging to be told to wait some more.  When we take the situation into our own hands, and rely on our own abilities, things can go strangely awry.  More disappointment and frustration can follow.

Abraham and Sarah dealt with the “problem” of Ishmael, the servant’s son, until they finally sent him away from the family for good. It wasn’t the outcome they had hoped for to their promise of an heir.

Jesus

There are a few times where even Jesus seems to feel frustrated.  His disciples lacked faith in Him.  They had seen him perform many miracles, and He taught them daily.  But they still lacked faith and understanding.

“You of little faith!… Do you not understand?… How is it you don’t understand?” Matthew 16:8-12, NIV. It must have been frustrating to share spiritual truths and realize they were not learning His lessons, even after all they had experienced with Him.  But He never lost His spirit of love for the disciples.

Do I express my frustrations with His same spirit of love?

I wonder how many times I must have frustrated Him with my excuses and lack of faith? Then I remember, with thankfulness, His grace and “mercies that are new every morning.”

Might He be telling us that when others frustrate us, a little grace may be in order??

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Frustrated with God

Along with everyday and situational frustrations, have you ever felt frustrated with God?  Have you ever asked God “why”?  

How about when your prayers go unanswered or not in the way you expected?  I’m sure there have been times we’ve all felt frustrated with God.  It’s an emotional response that we sometimes direct towards Him.

We see David cry out many times in the Psalms- “How long, O Lord, how long?” or “when?”, or “why?”  He understood that God is the perfect judge who could deliver him from his enemies, illnesses, isolation, etc.  But that didn’t stop him from voicing his impatience, complaining, and anguish.

I find a great lesson here, however.

David took his frustration straight to God and wrestled with Him over his situations.

Is It Wrong to Question God?

God knows our hearts and minds; He knows when we feel frustrated. He understands all our emotions.

When we approach Him with a spirit of seeking understanding, clarity, and comfort, He will bring it to us.

But if we question God because we think He made a mistake, or He isn’t keeping His promises, then we don’t fully know God. Come to Him with a heart that earnestly seeks to understand.  There may be times when He says “Just trust Me.”

•While in the midst of our frustrations, we can rest in His never-ending, great love and care for us:

“The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” Jeremiah 31:3 NIV.

•Never feel afraid to come to Jesus when we need help. Go to Him in confidence!-

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”  Hebrews 4:16 NIV

Overcoming a Spirit of Frustration

Frustration is a reaction as old as creation!

“For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it.” Romans 8:20 (NIV).

When sin entered His creation, God cursed the physical world.  We see the frustration manifested in thorns and thistles, sin, and death.  Sickness, decay, and suffering are not what the world was supposed to look like.  We live in a fallen and frustrating world.

But we are to live and wait in hope, not frustration. 

Eventually, our frustration (and the Earth’s!) will end. We look forward to an eternal life with Christ.

Scriptures on Frustration

In the meantime, tuck these words into your heart to fight against the spirit of frustration-

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV.

•Take each day as it comes, trusting God’s plan for your life. His timeline and His will be done.

“Let perseverance finish it’s work so that you may be so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:4 NIV.

•Persevering through trials brings us maturity of our faith, wisdom, courage, and the strength and grace we need in our lives.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  Romans 12:12 (NIV)

•Look forward to all that God has planned for us.  When trials come, remember God is in complete control. Hang on to the lifeline of prayer.

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  Exodus 14:14 NIV.

•God will fight our battles; we are to stop trying to do it ourselves. Rest, be still.

Pray against the Spirit of Frustration

Frustrations can appear when we aren’t getting what we desire or need.  Sometimes they surface with unmet expectations. For me, lack of sleep, or chronic physical pain burns my fuse down to a nub.  Then the smallest thing can bring frustration and reactions I regret.  Old hurts can lurk under the surface, and on the days they bubble up, frustrations abound.

♥When frustration creeps into your life, recognize it for what it is, and go straight to Jesus.

♥Talk to Him about it. He wants you to vent to Him! Tell Him why or who has you frustrated. He will respond in love- it is His very nature.

♥Ask Him to heal you, to reconcile your situation, and to show you what He wants you to learn.

♥Pray for an increase in His peace and patience. His Holy Spirit will guide you into understanding your frustrations and how to deal with them. It’s a process of transformation, but with His help, you can work through frustration and experience more peace.

Blessings!

AnnMarie

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