Dear Lighthouse,
Do you ever get frustrated? I do. In fact, this past week has been rather frustrating. I’ve had to deal with extra long hours at work, sickness, projects that don’t
go according to plan, searching in vain for items I need, grass that won’t stop growing in all this rain, and on and
on. Sound familiar? Believe me,
I don’t think I’m alone in this. It seems like spring, while great
in many aspects, is difficult because it signals the time is ripe for all those winter projects I put off. Sometimes it just seems like some weeks cave in on you and your schedule collapses under the weight of
responsibilities. The end result is frustration.
The corporate world talks about win-win situations. Educators set up “success opportunities” for students. But the reality is that things don’t always work out the way we hope.
Mistakes are made. Plans fail. People
let you down. The world is not a perfect place.
The writer of Ecclesiastes puts it this way, “The race is not to the swift
or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and
chance happen to them all.” (Eccl. 9:11)
The ultimate question that spins from this depressing
reality is how do we deal with life in a frustrating world? This is no small
question. While I don’t have all the answers myself, I’d like to
offer up some thoughts for you to ponder. And the first place I suggest we go
is to the Master.
Jesus got frustrated. Frustration is not a sin; it is a natural result of circumstances.
No, sin has its opportunity to thrive in how we react to frustration. On
one occasion we read that a demon possessed boy was brought to Jesus after His disciples had failed to cast out the evil spirit. Upon seeing their lack of faith, Jesus becomes annoyed. “’O unbelieving and perverse generation’, Jesus
replied, ‘how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with
you?’” (Matt. 17:17) The
Master had already spent much time with His disciples showing them who He was and what authority He commanded. They had even been given some of His authority and were commissioned to carry the message of hope and faith
to all Israel. Yet, in this boy they had failed because of their lack of faith.
So, what would
be Jesus’ response? Would He quit?
Would He give up on these failures? No, Jesus takes action and moves on. He heals the boy and then continues His mission by teaching His disciples about their
failure. Then, even knowing of His impending death, He moves on. (See Matt. 17:16-24) We
can learn from this model. We should also keep our mission in mind, stay on course,
and don’t let frustrations bring us down. What is even more remarkable
is that Jesus knew where His destiny lay, yet He was still able to overcome the frustrations that surrounded Him and arrive
sinless at His ultimately gruesome end. His heart was set on God, not on the
trivialities of this world.
This is how
we should be. Our hearts must be set on God’s Kingdom or we are doomed
to a life of frustration because life is indeed not fair. Life is not always
rewarding. Life in this world is not what we were ultimately made for. Once we realize this and begin to live it, then we have our hearts in proper alignment to receive what
God truly does have in store for us. In my opinion, this is how to overcome any
frustration or trial – set your mind on Christ.
Meditate on
these encouraging verses:
“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”
(Prov. 4:23)
“Therefore, prepare our minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you
when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (I Peter 1:13)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the
right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Col. 3:1-4)
“And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it.
For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek His Kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.” (Luke 12:29-31)
These verses are so encouraging to me. Life is frustrating and suffering does come, but we have a Father in Heaven who does notice and does care. Paul was a man who understood this. He
suffered a great deal, but his hope was fixed on Christ. He saw the “Big
Picture” that is too often a blur and out of focus in our lives. Our tunnel
vision is on our problems and disappointments leaving the true purpose and meaning of life hidden. We need to recapture that perspective. Check out Rom. 8:18-31. Here is a portion of it:
“The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the One who subjected it,
in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the
children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the
pains of childbirth right up to the present time…we ourselves … groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption
as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we are saved…If
God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom. 8:18-31 selections)
Do you see? Everything around us is in a state of anticipation for the final act to be played
out. We are part of the creation that is frustrated – waiting to be set
free from bondage to decay. Of course things aren’t going to work out right
in a world like this! We should not be surprised when things fail. But we, as children of God, have one thing that saves us from a life of futility. We have a hope and a faith in Him Above. That is the “Big
Picture”. Our relationship with God is the point of life – all else
is window dressing and meaningless. I encourage you to adjust your focus accordingly
this week. It does wonders for your frustrations.
I’ll
leave you with a quote from the book where we started, Ecclesiastes. May God
be with you this week as you struggle to maintain your focus on Author and Perfector of your life, Almighty God.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear
God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole [duty] of man.” (Eccl.
12:13)
Serving Him with you,
Evan
