The other day, I was going to an important meeting in Kenya but was stuck in a traffic jam. It took nearly an hour to go a few blocks. I was frustrated because I was late for my meeting.
In another country, the leaders of Book of Hope are frustrated because a shipment of books that was due in May still has not arrived after five months. They have schools waiting for books and people ready to distribute the books but are unable to do so. They are frustrated.
In another country, the national director has consigned books to a person but the person has not distributed the books. The leader is frustrated by the fact that a trusted person has failed in his responsibility.
Frustration happens to us all. We need to learn to handle frustration or serious problems can develop. Some people get angry when they are frustrated and they say or do unwise things. Some people have negative emotions and worries that stir inside them that lead to physical problems. Some people quit and stop working towards their goals when they are frustrated.
Only people who want to accomplish things get frustrated. If you don’t care what happens and have no goals, you will never be frustrated. Lazy people don’t get frustrated.
Unresolved frustration can affect your health, keep you from thinking clearly in order to solve problems and can lead you to do things that affect your relationships with others.
King David experienced frustration when he wanted to build a temple for the Lord. His motives were right. The Lord even said “Because it was in your heart to build a temple for my Name, you did well to have it in your heart.” (2 Chronicles 6:8).
But the Lord said David could not do it. The Lord in effect said to David, “It’s a great idea but I do not want you to do it.” The Lord said the reason was that he had shed blood as a warrior. David was frustrated—he had a good idea that pleased the Lord. But the Lord said he couldn’t do it, even though he desperately wanted to do it.
How did David handle the frustration?
David went before the Lord in prayer. “Then King David went in and sat before the Lord…” (2 Samuel 7:18). When he was frustrated, he “sat before the Lord.” He prayed. He didn’t rush his prayer. He sat down because he wasn’t in a hurry. He listened to God’s voice. He filled himself with God’s presence. He got God’s perspective on the situation.
David understood that God’s “no” was not to David’s plan, but to him personally. The plan was good. The plan needed to be accomplished. It was just that David wasn’t the one to do it.
David made preparations to help his son accomplish the vision. “Nevertheless, you are not the one to build the temple, but your son…” (1 Kings 8:19). David did not say, “If I can’t do it, it won’t be done.” Nor did he say, “If I can’t do it, nobody else will!” David knew the plan was good, so did not allow his frustration keep him from getting the plan done, even though he could not do it.
When you are frustrated, remember the good things that are happening. When you get frustrated, you tend to think nothing good is happening. Focus on the positive and the good.
Remember the big goal. What is it you want to happen? Don’t let frustration over one problem keep you from moving toward the big goal of your ministry.
Think of possible solutions. There may be many ways to solve your problem. Just because you can’t do it one way doesn’t mean there are not other ways to get it done.
Go sit before the Lord and get his perspective.