FRUSTRATION

Frustration has led me to porn a million times. The Bible says to "Let your moderation be known to everyone. But I ignore that.
Frustration rears its ugly head when we overindulge in greed, selfish ambitions, games and many other things. America pushes us to be rich, successful, and to be a winner. And we need to do it all, with a perfect body. If we buy into what they say, we will be frustrated.
On the other hand, sometimes we get frustrated because we don't do the things we should do. Examples: Not reading the Bible, not praying enough, not paying "any" attention to our finances, and health. Or worse yet, forgetting to treat others with love.
We know that the Bible wants us to be hot, not lukewarm in our relationship with God. But in some ways, the Bible wants us in the middle with many other things. Not greedy, but working to have enough. Not focusing on being # 1, but working to be a worthy Christlike example in everything we do. Not worrying about winning in life, unless it is winning souls or winning in loving others.
Lastly, we get frustrated by unrealistic expectations. We think "The answer" to all of life's problems will be solved by things like:
1. Pleasure.
2. Money.
3. Career.
4. Education.
5. Success.
Nope, Jesus is the answer. Everything else is an empty illusion. But even when we know that we still may need to cut something huge out of our life to give Him enough room in us. And we may need to start doing some of the things we know we should be doing.
A wise man once said: Identify what frustrates you. Then make the changes and get control of your life.

 

We pray: “Father, please fix my finances, fix my relationships, fill in the blank with what you want to be fixed today. Then sometimes, the day ends and nothing is fixed.

We want a perfect life, but if we had one we could never help anyone else. Joseph was thrown in jail, and later he saved the Israelites. I bet Joseph asked God what He wanted when he was thrown into jail. I bet he said, “Your will be done, Lord.” I think he prayed and prayed and was fully in the presence of God because of his response. I think he fully trusted God right at the exact moment when it appeared that God had forsaken him.

Like Joseph, Job refused to give up on God in his highest moments of frustration. His finances were gone, his important relationships were gone. At his very worst he said, “Blessed be the Name of the Lord.” At the most frustrating part of his life, he refused to give up on God and sin. But Job's story did not end that way. He turned from sin in his frustration, worshiped and praised God, and after a lot of waiting, he was blessed more than ever.

Last night, I thought I went too far yesterday when I said, “No exceptions to the rule to turn aggressively from sin.” But today in my frustrations I realize, that is exactly what Job would do. That is exactly what Joseph did do.

When Joseph made no exceptions, a country was saved. When Job made no exceptions he became the most blessed man in the land.

Today I am frustrated, and today I am going to pray and ask God to fix everything. And if He doesn't fix everything today, I am going to think about Joseph and Job. Think about how they reacted. Think about how their stories ended. Then hopefully I will realize that God has a plan for me. And that if my life is perfect... I probably won't be ready to execute that plan.

But if my reaction to life's frustrations are correct, my story just might end victoriously as well.

 

6 keys to fighting frustrations that lead to lust

1. When life is tough (and when it's not), avoid sights and situations that cause lust.
   
   
2. Say no instantly when lust starts. Then decide if you need to go to the verses for quitting to overcome the temptation, or whether it is mild enough for you to fight it off with prayer.
   
   
3. John Piper wrote: “We must stock our minds with the superior promises and pleasures of Jesus. Then we must turn to them immediately after saying, “NO!”
   
   
4. To overcome we must focus on the Word until the Holy Spirit's power takes over.
   
   
5. Piper continues: “Have you fought for joy? Don’t be fatalistic. You were created to treasure Christ with all your heart — more than you treasure sex or sugar. If you have little taste for Jesus, competing pleasures will triumph. Plead with God for the satisfaction you don’t have: “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). Then look, look, and look at the most magnificent Person in the universe until you see him the way he is.” Consider praying:
   
   “Father, show me how to fight for Your joy.”
   
   “Father, show me how to treasure You.”
   
   
6. Lastly, Piper said: “Find a good work to do, and do it with all your might.”

 

To fight frustration, study how to be content.

Philippians 4:11-13 ESV
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Consider praying: “Father, take away this spirit of lust, and help me to be content.”

Hebrews 13:5 ESV
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

If money causes you to fall, read this often.

1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV
But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”

There are two things listed to do to have great gain. Study this verse and consider praying: “Father, help me to focus on godliness with contentment.”

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Psalm 37:16 ESV
Better is the little that the righteous has than the abundance of many wicked.”

We have peace and a calm life when we live life God's way.

Psalm 16:11 ESV
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Prayers for contentment are prayers to know the path of life. I need nothing but the presence of God.

Finally, what 3 things are you not content with that you should learn to be content with? When we live life upset at jobs, parents, spouses, and neighbors, (I could list a million things), satan takes that opening and uses discontentment against us to get us thinking about lust.

Study these verses regularly, and pray often about “what, or who” you need to be content with. Pray often to be content with your current situation.

Finding contentment takes away one of Satan's favorite weapons.

 

Frustration rises if we don't know if we can ever quit for good. Here is one idea about how to chart your current progress. Many chart their progress by how many days clean they have. That is good. But... instead of hearing that one has 18 days clean, I would rather hear:

I have 10 days clean and I now have the habit of daily Bible reading.

I have 11 days clean and I am working daily on the habit of turning from lust.

I have 12 days clean and I am working daily on the habit of thinking new thoughts.

I have 9 days clean and I am working daily on the habit of fighting back with scripture when I am overwhelmed.

We should track our days clean, but we should also track the habits we are fighting to now have.

If you have 12 days clean and 12 days with 3 new habits implemented every day... you have accomplished something great.

Finally, I am busy trying to do things God's way. I am busy trying to fulfill my purpose. People are trying to say things that should frustrate me. But I don't have time to think about the silly things (that are the opposite of what the Bible says) that other people say to me. Consider praying:

“Father, I will count my frustrations as all joy. I will trust in You and I will keep my joy.”

Paul likely prayed a prayer like the one above a 1000 times in one week after bad things happened. He likely said “Praise the Lord” 2000 times, and he would virtually “always” cast his cares on Jesus. That's how Paul avoided frustration.

New good habits give us power over bad habits. What good habits would be good for you?

 

Life has been very frustrating for me for the last 3 days. Job, relationships, problems, etc. Last night and this morning I found time to give thanks. It helps. I also am focusing on praising the Lord.

Second, I printed out the Feb 18th Armor of God thread which is already helping. That article quotes “Whatever is true, noble, right, pure,” etc, think about that. Based on that, I am focusing on thinking about something positive and good. This is a big improvement for me. When life gets bad I go to “My” solutions, not “God's” solutions. I am changing that.

Third, studying that verse, I realized today that I had been thinking in a way that was not really “true.” God's ways are true and best for me. Falling to my lower desires doesn't make my life better.

Finally, I am horrified that I have never printed out a page of the best verses on frustration. That is my next plan.

John 16:33 ESV I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 5:7 ESV Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:7 ESV And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

If frustration always leads to a fall, satan will often work on keeping you frustrated. Always think about what tricks he is using on you. Then fight back.