“When a fool is annoyed, he quickly lets it be known. Smart people will ignore an insult.”Proverbs 12:16, GNT
Some people are so frustrating; they will send you to your knees in prayer.
We all get frustrated by different things: a slow driver, a friend who never apologizes, and people who are rude and obnoxious. When you are frustrated, what’s your first response?
Many people have developed unhealthy responses to frustration. They might avoid difficult people, but denial only delays the problem, not solve it. They might try to make frustrating people happy, but some people will never be happy. No matter what they do, it’s never good enough.
How can you respond like Jesus?
God has out difficult people in your life to be “heavenly sandpaper.” Although you are irritated, God is using them to take off your rough edges. God is more interested in your character than your comfort. Consider your frustration as a learning opportunity.
Learn to look past their behavior to see where they are hurting on the inside. Hurt people will often hurt others. They’re full of fear and insecurity. Maybe they’re shouldering a pressure you don’t know about. You can turn frustration into empathy with a ittle reflection.
Instead of dismissing these frustrating people from your life, look at them as a gift from God to help you become more like Christ. Frustrations reveals something in you, and it can lead to a change of heart. Spend time in prayer asking God to help you have more patience and less words. Being frustrated doesn’t give you permission to take it out on whoever caused your frustration. Frustration gives you the opportunity to show grace to others.
How will you handle your next frustration?