Five Forks Today

December 2

Sermon: "Staying Strong When You Are Frustrated"

What can and does produce the following things …

ANSWER:  FRUSTRATION

            Frustration is something Christians must learn to handle properly if they want to have a strong faith.

            Here is how the dictionary defines FRUSTRATE – to keep from an objective; to prevent certain desires or impulses from being accomplished; to cause to have no effect.

            In preparing this lesson I stumbled upon some interesting information.  For instance –

The top five things children do that frustrate their parents:

            And according to an American management study there are five likely situations that give rise to maximum frustration at the workplace.  They are:

            Our scripture lesson for this morning comes from Jesus.  Jesus said …

            JOHN 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

            You will not experience that total peace until you learn to overcome the things that frustrate you.  The good news is ….

            You can experience a continual feeling of peace and inner contentment as you come to understand and overcome frustration.

            We will begin by looking at …

I.         REVEALING THE TRUTH ABOUT FRUSTRATION

            First we will examine …

A.        THE THREE “C’s” THAT GIVE BIRTH TO FRUSTRATION

1.            Control – you try to or desire to be in control of everything happening in your world.

2.            Combative – you are ready to fight at the drop of a hat.  It doesn’t take much to get your combative juices flowing.  You will debate almost any topic.

3.            Critical – you are quick to let your disapproval be known.

            If any of the three “C’s” can be used to describe you, it is fairly certain that you not only feel frustrated, you are also irritating others.

            The next truth we want to examine concerning frustration is not a very pleasant thing to examine.  It is …

B.        THE GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF A PERSON WHO CONSTANTLY FEELS FRUSTRATED

1.         Often they haven’t dealt with something in their past

            Perhaps they were wronged, betrayed, disappointed or hurt.  Whatever happened they have not been able to release it and move on.

            The book of Hebrews warns us about allowing bitterness to take root in our lives.

            HEBREWS 12:15 – See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

            James wrote about “bitter envy”.

            JAMES 3:14 – But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.

            Paul very bluntly tells us to …

            EPHESIANS 4:31 – Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

            Another thing that quite often is part of a person who is constantly feeling frustrated is that …

2.         They are running away from something

            This can be as simple as dealing with financial pressures.  Instead of sitting down and developing a plan, some people shove the bills out of sight and continue to use their credit cards.  There are many things that people run from including, responsibility, self-discipline, hard work, and even God.

            Another characteristic of frustrated people is that …

3.         They refuse to recognize what others can see

            While we should not give up on our dreams too quickly, we also must be willing to face reality.  Most of us are not going to become rich or famous.  Most of us have to work hard and make many sacrifices.  Most of us must do things we don’t want to do.  If you don’t recognize and accept these things you will become frustrated.

            The final characteristic of frustrated people that we will examine is that …

4.         They refuse to confront their inner anger

            Some people have allowed anger to sink deep into their souls.  So deep that they almost forget it is there.  They will not be honest enough with themselves to examine their own thoughts and attitudes, for if they do, they will find something very ugly – something like unforgiveness, selfishness, or perhaps envy, which causes them to have an angry spirit.

            Now that we have looked at some truths about frustration in general, let’s look at a few areas where it is common to encounter frustration and some things you can do to keep yourself from becoming frustrated.  The first one is …

II.         FRUSTRATION WITH OTHER PEOPLE

            As we have seen, most long-standing frustration normally resides within the person themselves, but it is natural for all of us to encounter frustration on a short-term basis.  Quite often that frustration involves other people.  How do we deal with people who frustrate us?

A.        TURN YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM PEOPLE TO JESUS

            Many of you are familiar with these words from the Apostle Paul.

            PHILIPPIANS 4:12 – I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

            What was the secret he learned that allowed him to be content instead of frustrated?

            PHILIPPIANS 4:13 – I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

            There will be people, who if you allow it, will frustrate you.  However, if you will focus on Jesus and how he dealt with people, and how he wants you to deal with people, your frustration will fade away.  That means that you …

B.            SPEAK WORDS THAT BUILD UP INSTEAD OF CRITICIZE

            The Bible says …

            EPHESIANS 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

            When you speak only words that are helpful in building others up, it pulls the plug on your frustration.

            Another thing that can be helpful is to …

C.        SEEK OUT SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS RATHER THAN LOOKING AT PEOPLE TO BLAME

            The Apostle Paul also gives us the key to doing this.

            EPHESIANS 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

            People are going to mess up.  People are going to forget things.  People are going to make mistakes.  People are going to do the opposite of what you told them to do.  People are going to make bad choices.  And yes, sometimes people do stupid things.

            At such times it takes a lot of discipline to put God’s instructions into practice.  Listen to them again.

            EPHESIANS 4:32 – Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

            People can bring frustration into our lives, but people are not the only cause of our frustration.  There is also …

III.         FRUSTRATION ROOTED IN IMPATIENCE

            Much of our frustration is rooted in the hurry up attitudes we have.  I plead guilty to this attitude.

            It is very easy for me to become impatient with the timing of certain things in life.  Many times they are small, unimportant things, such as how fast the line is moving at a bank or fast food restaurant.  Whatever the cause, when we become impatient we open the door for frustration to enter.  The Bible gives us many examples of people who become frustrated because of their impatience.

            Martha became frustrated with her sister, Mary, when Mary wouldn’t help her and her impatience caused her to be rebuked by Jesus.

            LUKE 10:40-42 – 40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made.  She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?  Tell her to help me!”  41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  42but only one thing is needed.”  Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

            Jesus’ disciples became frustrated with a Canaanite woman who wouldn’t be quiet.  They became impatient and wanted Jesus to send her away.

            MATTHEW 15:22-23 – 22A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying our, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me!  My daughter is suffering terribly from demon possession.”  23Jesus did not answer a word.  So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

            Jonah became frustrated with life in general when a vine died that was providing shade for him.  He became so impatient with God that he wanted to die.

            JONAH 4:6-8 – 6Then the Lord God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.  7But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.  8When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint.  He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.”

            Isn’t it something what we allow impatience to do to us.  The tough thing about it is that there is only one cure for impatience and that is patience.

            We must learn to wait – to persevere – to endure affliction.  The Bible says …

            JAMES 1:4 – Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

            ROMANS 12:12 – Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

            PSALM 37:7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

            PSALM 40:1 – I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.

            Learning to wait on God’s timing is part of the process of becoming a strong Christian.  God stretches us slowly so that we don’t break.

            The unfolding of God’s plan for your life is a life long process.  Slow down.  Relax in God’s presence.  Trust God with all the circumstances, relationships and schedules in your life.  As you do this you will feel less and less frustrated.

            You will know that you are making progress in overcoming the frustration you feel because of your impatience when these words from the psalmist become your own words.

            PSALM 62:1-2 – 1My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him.  2He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

            The final thing we are going to look at this morning concerning frustration is …

IV.         GOD-GIVEN FRUSTRATION

            Sometimes you will experience a sense of irritability that is not rooted in what other people have or have not done, or in your own impatience.  As you examine your life you realize you are not frustrated because you can’t conquer or control a person or situation.  As you look deeper into yourself you also come to understand that the frustration you feel is not with anybody else but with yourself alone.

            When you experience this type of frustration it is a good indication that God is working in your life forcing you to confront a deeper part of your character.  Why?  Because God’s purpose for every believer is to have them become like Jesus.  The Bible says …

            ROMANS 8:29 – For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

            So when you feel frustrated with the way you sometimes think, speak or act, understand that God may be leading you to make some changes in your life.

            What should you do when you are frustrated with your own behavior?  When you think, speak or act in ways that you know Jesus would not approve.

            First – Face up to yours sins.  Don’t make any excuses or try to justify your sin.  Call it sin and confess it to God and receive his cleansing.

            Second – Read God’s Word with a new hunger.  Look for verses or truths that God may cause to leap off the page and into your life.  Start expecting God to show you the changes he wants you to make in your life and the things he wants you to do.  He may be leading you into a new life-style or a new ministry.  You can be sure he is trying to more and more conform you to the likeness of Jesus.

            Third – Give thanks to God.  Thank the Lord for loving you so much that he continues to work in your life in spite of the many times that you have failed him.

CONCLUSION

            Jesus said …

            JOHN 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

            The last two weeks we have looked at two things we must overcome in order to experience that peace – Guilt and Frustration.

            Last week we looked at …

            This week we looked at …

            You can become stronger in your faith and experience God’s peace as you learn to properly deal with guilt and frustration.