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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
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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.
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