When We Feel Frustrated
But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”
(Philippians 4:10-13).
At some time or other, we have all experienced feelings of frustration ranging from mild to intense. For some people, these feelings are merely a minor irritation, while others are driven wild by them. In either case, people sense that there is a barrier between them and what they want to accomplish. It may have to do with a marriage, a business or even something mechanical, but in every case, we feel that we are being prevented from genuine accomplishment of some kind.
When beset by frustration, we often look at our circumstances and find ourselves saying, ?If only??- if only I had this or that, if only he or she would change, if only this hadn?t happened, if only I had good health…. Such thinking leads to discouragement because it centers on externals that we cannot change. We need to remember that circumstances and people are not the problem. They only trigger something deep within that comes from hidden root causes. One such root could be our failure to really accept ourselves the way God made us. Or it could be that we are running from childhood mistakes or sins that have never been faced.
Another root cause could be a failure to deal with the will of God for our lives in the present.
Whatever the case, we must realize that rearranging the circumstances of our lives cannot bring about internal peace. Only a transformed heart will provide that. God alone can give you a quiet heart and the peace that passes all human understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
“When We Feel Frustrated” by Dr. Charles Stanley appeared in In Touch magazine,? March 2004. Copyright ? IN TOUCH MINISTRIES. P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357. All rights reserved. www.intouch.org. Used with permission.
Related Links:
Avoiding the Men’s Mid-life Crisis:
http://www.retirementwithapurpose.com/mlholyexercise.html
About the Author
This article was written by Charles Stanley. You can read more about this author by clicking this link:
http://www.talk.thelife.com/charles-stanley/
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