When We Feel Frustrated

Dr. Charles Stanley tells us:

"External circumstances commonly get blamed for our feelings of irritation  and anxiety.

But circumstances are often simply magnifiers—events that reveal what's already inside us.

So when we find ourselves becoming short-tempered or easily worried, it is probably time to examine our hearts.

As believers, we must be keenly aware of two opposing forces: the desires of our flesh and the freedom that accompanies God's hand of control.

The limits He has set for us can be likened to freedom because they are not meant to restrict us.

Rather, His wisdom brings us peace and direction. Our inherent drive to exercise our free will, however, can lead to unwise decisions, difficulties and failures.

As we grow in spiritual maturity and realize that God can relieve the burden of frustration in our lives, we will learn to appreciate His guidance.

It is evident that the apostle Paul grasped this concept, because he wrote, "I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am" Phil. 4;11.

The fact that Paul had to learn to be content suggests a process that took place over time.

Our world is certainly not a place that guarantees a state of constant contentment.

Therefore, we must learn to build our trust in the Lord, to rely upon His strength, and to have confidence in His divine will for our lives.

Frustration fades only in the light of His plan for our future Jer. 29:11.

And indeed, that's the 'secret' Paul learned, which enabled him to get along in any situation—namely, that we can "do all things through Him who strengthens [us] Phil. 4:13."

[This is taken from In Touch magazine of Dr. Charles Stanley pg.44 of the June '13 issue.]

Let’s pray: Father, do help us learn to build our trust in You, and to rely upon Your strength. May we have confidence in Your will for our lives as we live day to day. May we experience Your peace in every situation, and to not let our hearts be troubled nor afraid. In Jesus' Name we ask this, amen.

Today’s Bible verse: 2 Sam. 22:29 "For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness."

Pray for your pastor: Fear of God. Lord, keep my pastor in the fear of You. Bind the fear of failure and people. Give my pastor boldness to confront sin and other threats to the church. Enable_____________to remain confident even when others resist the gospel or his/her vision. Honor _________'s stand for You, and come to the rescue when others oppose him/her Prov. 9:23; John. 14:1; Heb. 12:3; Psalm 35.

Today’s quote: Julie Ackerman Link - “When we experience the fiery furnace of suffering — whether physical or emotional, whether persecution from without or humiliation from within—God’s loving purpose is to make us pure and strong.”

Some thoughts today: God is actively involved in your life. Have you given Him thanks for bringing you through a season of a tough time?

- We’re challenged to go back to our child-like faith where we started. We may need to start over. Seek for an encounter with God!

- Are we willing to be like Caleb, and face adversity to claim our “mountain”? Long- distance runners in life get past obstacles, which try to deter us from completing God’s plan for us.

Tomorrow’s post:  A Flying Miracle  Dave Branon

A popular post:   CHRIST’S TRAVAIL: Prayer Note # 52  [Dutch Sheets] It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that redemption began and the victory of the entire ordeal was won.

 A little frustration?

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                 What Is God's View

   "You'll need to know what is God's view
         And just what His Word states.
    He'll help you with some guidelines too
         To keep you from mistakes..."