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Down
in my back, prone in a recliner chair, with typewriter on a
board across my lap, and deadline staring me in the face.
Seems like an ideal time to write an article on frustrations.
Somewhere I read, "Frustration is a form of adult temper
tantrum. It is a determination to have our own way. It is not
caused by our circumstances but by our refusal to accept and
to adapt to those circumstances." At the moment I think
that is a lot of pure bologna. But at the moment I am very
frustrated, and it's hard to think straight during a temper
tantrum. I must get control if this article is to be genuinely
helpful to anyone.
Paul said he had learned, in whatsoever state he was, to be
content (Phil. 4:11-13).
He said, "I can do all
things through Christ..." This was not mystical or
magic strength. He learned, by heeding the word of the Lord.
He prayed three times for the removal of some
"thorn," but the Lord said, "My
grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect
in weakness" (2
Cor. 12:7-10). Our circumstances need not be just what
we desire, in order for God's purposes to be properly served.
We must learn that, as did Paul.
In most cases the causes of frustration are homemade. (I had
no business mixing concrete and rolling big rocks.) We may
procrastinate, make too little preparation for our job; or,
being self-centered, expect all to go our way wholly
inconsiderate of others. We may "blow off" at
another, when we are really peeved at ourselves.
However, except for problem identification and correction, we
should not waste much time assigning blame. Spend your time at
work with present circumstances. "Casting
all your care upon Him" and "Be not anxious for the
morrow" (1 Pet.
5:7, Matt. 6:34) are not stop work slogans. We must use
what we have, believing that God will help those who help
themselves. Our weakness, working for Him, becomes strength.
Let the "trying of your
faith work patience" (Jas.
1:3). Frustration uses up the energy you need to fit
the broken pieces of disaster into a new, beautiful mosaic.
Robert F Turner
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