Beating Frustration

Intro

Series - Holy and Human: Overcoming Spiritual Struggles to Live a Holy Life

Part 1 - Beating Frustration

What is a frustration?

a feeling of dissatisfaction, often accompanied by anxiety and depression resulting from unfulfilled needs or desires, or unresolved problems

Summary

Types of frustrations

unrealized hopes

frustrations are sometimes attached to specific plans or hopes.

you plan to save for your future, but -

you are ready to marry this person, but -

you plan to do something for the Lord, but -

life’s shortfalls

some frustrations revovle around character issues

you can’t seem to overcome your childish attitudes

family problems keep coming back

the pandemic does not seem to come to an end

Biblical examples of frustrated people

Moses - he was not allowed to enter the promised land

Jeremiah - he suffered so much forspeaking in behalf of God

Paul - he was constantly buffeted by his thorn in the flesh

King David - God did not allow him to build the temple

Key lessons to be learned

Focus on God’s alternative

Appreciate those who get to have or enjoy what you did not get

Don’t let go of your good intentions

Discussion

1.) what is the greatest frustration you are facing today?

Why do we get frustrated?

we have unfulfilled needs and desires

Proverbs 13:12 NKJV

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.

But why are they “not fulfilled”?

God thwarts man’s plans

Psalm 33:10 NKJV

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.

Job 5:12 NKJV

He frustrates the devices of the crafty, So that their hands cannot carry out their plans.

James 4:3 NKJV

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.

God has a better plan

for king David

2 Samuel 7.1-5 “Now it came to pass when the king was dwelling in his house, and the Lord had given him rest from all his enemies all around, that the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of God dwells inside tent curtains.” Then Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart, for the Lord is with you.” But it happened that night that the word of the Lord came to Nathan, saying, “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Would you build a house for Me to dwell in?”

2 Samuel 7.11-13 “since the time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel, and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord tells you that He will make you a house. “When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

for Paul

2 Cor 12.7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2.) In what ways can frustration affect out spiritual lives?

frustration can rob us of our joy

frustrations can make us do foolish things

King Saul offered a sacrifice on the altar because Samuel was delayed and he wanted to go into battle

3.) what can we do to beat frustration?

believe God had a better plan than yours

learn to recognize your place in God’s plan

learn to appreciate what God is doing in others

Conclusion

Frustrations rise in our hearts when we are focused on fulfilling ouir own dreams instead of allowing God to fulfill His own plans through us.

We can make our lives free from frustration -

let go of your self-centered ambitions and hopes

learn to walk with God, to be led by the Spirit.

Song -