Frustrations are apart of life. The key is learning how to handle them well. How we respond to frustrations play a huge role in the lives that we live. How do you respond to frustrations? What do you do when feeling angry? We must answer these questions honestly so we can make the necessary adjustments to do better. We must all grow in handling frustrations well.
Handling frustrations well requires wisdom.
Wisdom will allow us to respond appropriately, not hastily. Where wisdom is, there is effectiveness. Think about it, foolish responses are not effective. They often bring back poor results. Wisdom, on the other hand, requires more intention, but it will bring back more desirable results.
“A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
– Proverbs 19:11
Wisdom prevents us from reacting to every offense that comes our way. Anger is draining. As we grow in wisdom, we’ll become motivated to use our energy on more worthwhile matters, as opposed to petty offenses.
Handling frustrations well requires foresight.
Another factor that helps with handling frustrations well is foresight. This allows us to consider the impact of our decisions. What were the results of previous anger outbursts? What consequences followed previous poor decisions? Our past experiences help us to consider the results of our actions.
We must consider the impacts of our decisions. As we do, we will be motivated to do the right, and often hard, thing. Foresight encourages us to do handle our frustrations well. It helps us to consider options before acting. Though not always easy, we must not move hastily, but instead we should think before we act.
Handling frustrations well requires humility.
God continues to show me how big of an issue pride and selfishness are. Many of our ineffective decisions are rooted in these two heart issues. Humility allows us to see us. As we grow in God, we should grow in self-awareness. Self-awareness is powerful. Proverbs 4:23 tells us to “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
We must grow in dealing with the issues of our heart. As we do, we will grow in handling frustrations well.
Frustrations in life are inevitable. We can’t control them or plan them out of our lives. No matter what, they will come. Since frustration are an inescapable reality, we must use our energy to respond appropriately. We must handle them well.
One way to do this?
Prayer.
Starting our day with prayer helps us to get settled, anchored, and prepared for the day before the day gets going. To take the time to deal with ourselves early, helps us to be in the best state as possible for the inevitable frustrations of life. Also, praying specifically about our frustrations gives us particular insight and help us to get to the root issue.
Sometimes, frustrations are indicators that God needs to speak with us. When you feel frustrated, go to God. Tell Him all about it, and ask for His help and insight. He longs to help us. He is our help, we just have to learn to rely on Him.
So, when you feel frustrated, consider: wisdom, foresight, and humility. Then, go to God in prayer and ask Him to speak to you so that you can overcome the frustration- the right way. He is faithful and He cares.
With love,
