2 Corinthians 12:8-9
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Do you ever find yourself trying to fight your frustration — only to wind up even more frustrated than when you began?
More than likely, it's because you're fighting the wrong way. This may sound a little strange, but the best way to fight your frustration is to make friends with it. Yes, you read that correctly — you need to make friends with your frustration.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul pleads three times for the Lord to take away a thorn in his flesh, but it doesn't go away. It had to be frustrating, but what's interesting is Paul's response. After unsuccessfully resisting his frustration for a period of time, he eventually embraces it. And employs it for a greater purpose.
I know that seems counter-intuitive, but by making friends with frustration, you can actually use what's bothering you to your benefit. If you will face your frustration instead of trying to flee from it, you'll learn something new about yourself — because usually frustration is an indication that something needs to change.
A lot of times frustration is trying to tell you that something doesn't fit right anymore. It's a sign that you're growing out of something and God is preparing you to grow into something else.
That's how God teaches us to grow. He'll allow us to feel some frustration so that we avoid complacency. If you were always comfortable, you would never grow. If you were never frustrated, you would probably never be motivated to change anything.
So, the next time you feel some frustration coming along, instead of pushing away, push into it and ask, "What is God trying to teach me through this?"
Your frustration can prepare you for your future. You just have to handle it the right way.
Written By: Pastor Steven Furtick
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Do you ever find yourself trying to fight your frustration — only to wind up even more frustrated than when you began?
More than likely, it's because you're fighting the wrong way. This may sound a little strange, but the best way to fight your frustration is to make friends with it. Yes, you read that correctly — you need to make friends with your frustration.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul pleads three times for the Lord to take away a thorn in his flesh, but it doesn't go away. It had to be frustrating, but what's interesting is Paul's response. After unsuccessfully resisting his frustration for a period of time, he eventually embraces it. And employs it for a greater purpose.
I know that seems counter-intuitive, but by making friends with frustration, you can actually use what's bothering you to your benefit. If you will face your frustration instead of trying to flee from it, you'll learn something new about yourself — because usually frustration is an indication that something needs to change.
A lot of times frustration is trying to tell you that something doesn't fit right anymore. It's a sign that you're growing out of something and God is preparing you to grow into something else.
That's how God teaches us to grow. He'll allow us to feel some frustration so that we avoid complacency. If you were always comfortable, you would never grow. If you were never frustrated, you would probably never be motivated to change anything.
So, the next time you feel some frustration coming along, instead of pushing away, push into it and ask, "What is God trying to teach me through this?"
Your frustration can prepare you for your future. You just have to handle it the right way.
Written By: Pastor Steven Furtick
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