Frustration. Oof. An emotion that must be felt, whether we like it or not, but can be so destructive if we linger there too long.
I’ve really enjoyed writing our Wheatful Wednesday devotionals these last two months about patience and hope in the midst of these feelings we have because they have very practically been reminding me that these feelings are inevitable, even productive. But they have also reminded me that we must have something greater in God to cling to through them or we will get lost.
Frustration should be something we feel and then allow that feeling to signal a perspective shift. It can sometimes even feel good for a moment to feel frustration, you know? Sometimes it’s like a chemical release pretending to be “hope,” but instead it usually leads us to a lot of other negative feelings and beliefs about ourselves and others. In frustration, God asks us to look to Him, in belief that He holds it all and we can expect good things to be ahead of this very moment where we feel stuck, frustrated.
Exodus 33:14 says, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Here, God responds to Moses’ plea for God’s presence to be with the Israelites with a commitment to be with His people, providing guidance, peace, and security as they journey. Rest here is not just physical but also a deeper, more lasting soul rest that comes from trusting in God’s presence, that what God commits here is true.
As I keep writing for this “hope” series this month, God keeps drawing my attention to our belief that “He can.” When we feel frustrated, God asks us to believe He can be the balm to our soul. Not just by giving us physical rest and shelter from our frustrations, but He can also be bringing in that moment, spiritually and emotionally, a peace to our hearts while our body is very much still surrounded by the frustration-causing factor.
God with us. Our life vest as Christians. There is no where you go, no situation you face, that God is not with you. He sent His son, Jesus, so we could know life with Him. Because of His son, we have a helper in His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is in our hearts, guiding us, dwelling within us, prompting us, and that changes everything. We are invited to live in hope because of who God is. Feel the frustration, but know that our hope is greater. The ease of your soul is available to you through the frustration because God is near.
Father, thank you. Thank you that you are near and that you are our hope. Thank you that you allow us to live and experience frustration but you don’t leave us alone to sort it out. You rescue us by giving us peace and tranquility instead of the tension we feel apart from you. I pray for the tranquility of your presence over everyone reading this today, hoping and believing for more of your hope today. Amen.
Britt Goff #wheatfulwednesday