Mike’s Musings ….
Are You Frustrated?
If you have never been frustrated about anything, you won’t need to read this musing: it would ruin your record of never having experienced frustration. But if you have been frustrated about anything, perhaps this musing will help you in some fashion. Frustration is an “everyday occurrence” because of things beyond my control. For example, I get frustrated at the fact that if I’m within ten feet of something I’m about to get, it will fall to the floor; or if I have it in hand and within twenty feet of placing it where I want it to be, I drop it. Frustrating!
Then there are the times I’m nearly done writing a bulletin, preparing a sermon, or conducting a Bible study, and yet just minutes before I finish, something happens that takes me away from that important task to engage in something of seemingly greater importance. When the interrupting matter is completed, the thoughts needed to return to the former tasks are gone, and I find it necessary to start from scratch. Frustrating!
Many other areas of frustration could be included in this musing, but you get the idea. Frustration is a part of life: a part we would prefer to do without but can’t! No matter how hard we try to avoid them, frustrating situations find us. Have you ever been in a hurry, and get trapped in slow-moving traffic, and even if you are fortunate enough to get into the faster-moving lane, you go a short distance and are stopped again? Frustrating! Have you ever tried to get to the store before it closed, and you make it, only to find they’ve sold out of the item you need? Frustrating!
Life is filled with these events, and some are worse than others. But let me remind you that there is a time and place when frustrations are eased, calmness prevails, and peace results. That time is when you are in prayer! Paul, by inspiration, told us, “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Throughout his writings, we easily note how often Paul was frustrated with his circumstances, not to mention the times he was frustrated with his grown countrymen regarding their lack of interest in God and His word. Yet he didn’t let it get him so depressed he caved in, grew angry, and lashed out in some uncontrollable voiced anger because of his frustration! Perhaps this is one of the reasons he said, “Pray without ceasing.” It removed the anger that so often accompanies frustration.
Like the song asks, “Did you think to pray?” If not, why not? Even if you are not bothered with frustrating things in your life, prayer is essential and must not be neglected. You can’t ask someone to pray for you, and not ask God yourself via prayer! No, prayer doesn’t remove the frustration – but it makes you calm enough that you can deal with the matter in a much more congenial fashion. Muse on that reality! You’ll be much less frustrated!