What Frustrates You?

Frustrations are a normal part of life, and we have stories to tell to our friends about our frustrating circumstances. We get frustrated with Congress, with our spouse, with our kids, our boss, or just about anyone we come in contact with.  After all, some people just seem to be "called" to get under our skin and leave us frustrated. 

We often turn to the Bible to remind ourselves that we are to be people of patience, especially since patience is a virtue with biblical foundations. If you are like me, you read a few verses but still feel some frustration.  While there are things which frustrate us, there are a couple of things I want you to remember.  The first is a simple realization that each of us can be frustrating to others.  The second is a little more detailed, in that is identifies some negative results which happen if we are overcome with frustrations. 

Do you know someone that is a master of frustration?  Every time we see them all the bad things that could happen in a day has happened to them. A lot of the time, these people have been the cause of their own frustrations because of something called attitude!

The dangerous negative result of frustration is that it leads us to become judgmental of others. We know the Bible says,

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged...Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?...You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye…” (Matthew 7:1–3 & 5).

Jesus likens us to the Pharisees when we judge others with negative or cutting statements.  The Lord wants us to know before we can be the judge and jury for someone else, we need to examine our own lives.

This truth is further made real to us when we remember the Pharisees took a woman to Jesus, and this woman had been caught in adultery. These religious leaders were anxious to see the woman stoned to death because of her sin. They had judged her and brought her to Jesus to see how he would handle the situation. Jesus told those Pharisees, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.”

We may have frustrations that come our way, but the lesson for us to learn is one of loving others the way God loves us. That includes concern, forgiveness and compassion. Aren't we glad God doesn't throw stones when we deserve them?

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