Five Steps for Handling Frustration

Five Steps for Handling Frustration

Isaiah 26:3  

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (NIV).

Bottom Line:

Peace comes to those who keep their trust in you.

What this means to me:

Peace will come as I keep myself in a steadfast trust of the Lord.

Isaiah 26 is a song of praise to the Lord. It reminds me to recognize that I am surrounded by the walls of God's salvation. For He keeps me in perfect peace when I trust and fix my thoughts on Him. I can trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. He will humble the proud and bring down the arrogant.

I may never be able to avoid strife in the world around me, however I can know perfect peace even in turmoil. As I focus my mind on God and his Word, I become steady and stable. For I am supported by God's unchanging love and mighty power. Therefore, I won't be shaken by the surrounding chaos. So in order to keep peace, I need to keep my thoughts on God and keep my trust in Him.

Here are five simple steps for helping to deal with frustrations in my life.

First, I can consider, “Did I cause it?” The Bible says, “A man reaps what he sows” (Galatians 6:7 NIV). I can be frustrated by things, because I brought them on myself.

Second, consider, “What can I learn from it?” Romans 8:28 says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him” (NIV). There are many bad things in the world, but all things work together. God can even take the negative and turn it into a positive if I let him. Therefore, I can use irritation as an opportunity to become more like Christ.

Third, thank God in the situation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (NIV). I don’t have to be thankful for a bad situation, but I can be thankful in a bad situation. Frustration may be a blessing in disguise.

Forth, turn the frustration into a funny, humorous event. The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV). A sense of humor is God’s antidote for anger and frustration.

Lastly, ask God to fill me with his love. Why? Because 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, “[Love] is not easily angered” (NIV). Love is self-giving, not self-serving. Irritation comes because we think everyone and everything has to revolve around us. Love concentrates on the other person.

I can get so preoccupied with my own things that I forget that people are the priority in life. Jesus faced constant frustrations, too, but he always made time for people.