Have you ever noticed how people will write about overcoming
frustration and depression AFTER they
have come full circle and know the end of the story?
How does one share about dealing with frustration in the
midst of disappointing circumstances?
Where do you find that inner strength and be able to share about your
faith during the hard times of life?
I had some great talks with Aunt Jean this past weekend and
I came to realize – she is one smart cookie!
Epiphany 1 – you can’t bargain with God. We see that sometimes on TV, movies,
etc. People will offer to do something
like taking care of the poor in exchange for God answering their prayer. God wants us to follow him but he really
doesn’t need us. He’s got that covered.
Epiphany 2 – I must not be holy enough or have enough faith
for God to care about me. This is such a
LIE and please do not ever fall into that trap. Throughout history some of the most faithful
people in the world get slapped in the face with horrendous circumstances.
So what is that answer?
How do I keep from getting mad at God for not quickly changing the things
that are so unfair to me?
I have to say – there is not a one sentence answer
here. I am not smart enough to understand
God and I am easily frustrated but God is working on me.
I can quote a few verses:
John 16: 23-24 says, “This is what I want you to do: Ask the
father for whatever is in keeping with the things I have revealed to you. Ask in my name, according to my will, and he’ll
most certainly give it to you. Your joy will be a river overflowing its banks.”
Easy question – have you done that exactly? So here is one example for me – and I have
these kinds of prayers for each of you, but I’m starting with Ben. It is “pick
on Ben week.”
God, I feel like you worked everything out for Ben to go to
Randolph. Everything there seems perfect
for him as far as classes and friends.
God, Ben worked so hard all his teenager years to develop the athletic abilities
you gave him. I know it is your will for
him to play because you are the one who gave him the talent and the
desire. I am asking God that you give
him more playing time. My heart’s desire is for him to get time on the field
during a game. I give my frustration to
you and in Jesus name God, I am asking for you to give him his chance to prove
himself and not let him sit the bench his entire freshman year.
I can honestly say I am guilty of not always praying like
that. Rather, I beg then get angry a lot
of times and it really is not fruitful at all.
John goes on to say in verse 33, “In this godless world, you will
continue to experience difficulties. But
take heart! I have conquered the world.”
I think this is where we bog down in frustration. So I truly am expecting God to answer my
prayer. So then what do I do if Ben gets
playing time this week but then another frustration comes right behind this one
answer to one prayer?
Unfortunately, my first reaction in the past has been to say, “Wow, really God?”
Bad reaction. Really
bad.
That demonstrates to God I am only going to serve him and have
faith in him when I am happy with what he is doing for me in the world right at
this moment.
It sounds so bad to even type it – but in all honesty – that
is what happens to us when the only time we totally surrender to God is when we
are given something we desperately want.
We are able to start fresh and rededicate ourselves to God because that
one answer boosted our mood.
But until we conquer frustration and train ourselves to keep
that faith when the next trial hits – we will never break the cycle. It will begin a downward spiral into a life
of negativity.
In James 1: 2 – 4 it says, “Consider it a sheer gift,
friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life
is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you can become mature
and well developed, not deficient in any way.”
Your true colors are never exposed better than when a trial
in life has to do with the things you love the most. In my case, it’s you guys. Don’t mess with my kids. And sometimes I have the audacity to say, don’t
mess with my kids GOD.
It’s not God messing with you, but God sure is testing all
of us in those sore spots to see what our true colors are. And the first thing I try to do is get out of
it prematurely. I want to fix it all on
my own. So, so, so true for me – I want
to call Ben’s coach myself. Better yet,
I want to find him a new team and change his whole life so he can have more
playing time. I want to control all the
factors and make them work like I think it should. I want to bypass ANY lesson here and make it
right today, now. I want to be mad and I
certainly do not consider any of this a sheer gift.
So I am not at the end of the story. I am trying to learn about life’s frustrations
and teach you about them while I am in a trial.
While Ben is in a trail.
We should, as a family, attack this situation with
prayer. Not a one liner each day, but a
lot of prayers that come from the word and don’t just beg God for
gratification. Real prayers that THANK
God for loving us enough to teach us and mold us and that truly seek God’s will
and victory.
James goes on to say in verse 12, “Anyone who meets a
testing challenge head on and manages to stick it out is MIGHTY FORTUNATE. For such persons loyally in love with God, the
reward is life and more life.” And on down in verse 20,”God’s righteousness
doesn’t grow from human anger.”
When you meet a challenge head on – take it on. But not in
anger. Don’t back down either. Confidence is not anger. RISE TO THE CHALLENGE. God can not teach you anything if you just
lie back and wait for God to teach the lesson while you whimper and hide under
the sheets. Stand up with your head up,
chest out and say “bring it on – I’ve got this!”
Where do we get that kind of God arrogance from? How do we
back up that kind of boldness?
Guess what? You guys
are God’s children. You are not spending
eternity in hell but in paradise with God.
You are here and in every circumstance because he is getting you ready
for eternity with him. Whatever happens
to you is a test so he can see what in your life he needs to molded some more
to make you ready for eternal life. Now if that doesn’t inspire confidence, I
don’t know what will!
Ben has a meeting with his coach on Tuesday. We all need to pray about that. Pray without ceasing. Ben needs to meet this
challenge head on with confidence not anger. The true colors of his faith need to be shown
as righteous as they truly are – not a faith clouded by frustration and anger
or a defeatist attitude. Be confident
Ben! You know who you are and don’t be afraid to show it!
And don’t worry about what to say during that meeting
Ben. Just keep praying for God’s will
–
tell him what you want, the desire of your heart. Pray that God will give you that desire and
pray for God’s will.
It says in Luke 12: 11-12, “When they drag you into their meeting place and before judges, don’t
worry about defending yourselves – what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy
Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.”
You have to believe that Ben – God has your words for the
meeting already planned. You don’t need
to plan them ahead yourself.
If we all pray and believe and refuse to let frustration
govern our lives and the words that come out of our mouths – God will give us
all the words to say and God will give us all the desires of our hearts and we
can tackle the frustrations of life head on with confidence.
Ben we all love you and KNOW that God is going to bring you
through this frustrating time by giving you confidence in both your abilities
to play well and your abilities to find the right words in your meeting.
Does anyone else have anything to add to Ben? Or to me?
Hmmmm….who should I pick on next J
