Have you ever been frustrated to the point of anger, fear, or anxiety and wondered How to Overcome Frustration? I’m sure we’ve all experienced some level of frustration and there are many examples of frustration in the Bible. Faith and frustration in the Bible go together because faith is what helps in overcoming frustration. It’s not a sin to be frustrated, but failing to deal with it may allow fear and anxiety to take over. So, let’s look at How to Overcome Frustration with Faith.
Frustration and Anxiety
I recently experienced frustration combined with anxiety. I had ignored my blog for several months as I finished writing my fifth book. When I returned to the blog, I found that something had happened and it was total mess. Since I had designed the blog, I thought I could fix whatever was wrong. Everyday for over a week, I tried and tried. Nothing I did worked and my frustration built to the point that I was very stressed out and anxious. I needed to remind myself of how to overcome frustration.
Near tears, I finally decided I would have to hire someone to fix the blog because I absolutely couldn’t do it. I contacted a friend who fixed it, and, as you can see, it’s up and running. In addition, my frustration, anxiety and stress is gone. Of course, during those two weeks, I prayed and asked God for help and wisdom. I knew I had to get a handle on my frustration and anxiety and the only way to do that was to put everything in God’s hands.
Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated, But with many counselors they are established and succeed.
Proverbs 15:22 AMP
Obviously, I should have read the Scripture above and consulted someone sooner. It would have eliminated my stress!
Frustration can also be a positive thing. It can help us to laugh at ourselves, figure out solutions, and go to prayer. Yes, we all know that faith is the key to overcoming frustration. However, I’m sure we also know that it can be hard to overcome the feelings that come with frustration. I was frustrated because I could not overcome the problem I was facing – I couldn’t fix it. But guess what, seeing frustration in the Bible gives us hope that we too can overcome. Even Jesus got frustrated! So, let’s look at frustration in the Bible.
Frustration in the Bible
Examples of Frustration in the Bible
ABRAHAM AND SARAH experienced years of frustration as they waited to have children. Their frustration led to them taking the matter into their own hands and Ishmael was the result. They knew they had disobeyed God, but He still fulfilled His promise to them through the birth of Isaac – the child of promise. They show how to overcome frustration with faith.
HANNAH is another example of frustration in the Bible. Hannah, Elkanah’s first wife was barren and Peninnah, the second wife bore Elkanah’s children. Every year Hannah would go to the temple to pray and ask God for a child. Peninnah would taunt and provoke Hannah every year. Can you imagine the feelings Hannah was having? Frustration, disappointment, fear, sorrow and more. God answered Hannah’s prayer as she remained faithful to Him. She didn’t give up. Instead, she put her faith to work overcoming frustration.\
KING DAVID was often frustrated by Saul, his own children, and the nation of Israel. As a very young man, he was aware that he was meant to be King. However, the Israelites chose Saul instead and he spent years trying to kill David! That would absolutely be frustrating and stressful.
David had a completely open relationship with God. He whined and complained, expressed his frustration, and even spoke openly with God about his sin with Uriah and Bathsheba! However, David usually ended his times of frustration with praise and worship. He wrote out his songs of frustration in the Bible and they serve as example for us in how to overcome frustration.
JONAH was frustrated with God and people. So frustrated that he tried to run from God and ended up in the belly of whale. I would not want to be so frustrated that I was swallowed by a whale and then vomited up on the shore of the very place I didn’t want to go to! However, God dealt with Jonah’s impatience and Jonah fulfilled the task God had put before him. Jonah’s actions are memorialized and show us a different example of frustration in the Bible and that faith overcomes.
MOSES is another great example of frustration in the Bible. He grew so frustrated with the complaining Israelites that he struck a rock in anger, disobeying God. He was a leader whose faith was exemplary but even this father of faith let frustration manifest itself through anger. Yet, faith overcomes as God’s love for Moses never wavered.
JESUS – yes, our Savior voiced His frustration. In Matthew, we see Jesus’ frustration with the disciples and does it very bluntly. First, He asks why they have so little faith! Then, why they’re arguing with each other and last, He asks, “Don’t you understand even yet?”
Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”
Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Matthew 6:5-12 NLT
Like us, the disciples had a hard time understanding. I guess you could say they were thick headed! However, Jesus was patient with them, not allowing his frustration to interfere with teaching the disciples. He used His frustration to impress truth on them. His frustration caused them to listen and obey, two great actions in how to overcome frustration.
How to Overcome Frustration
Frustration is common to mankind. Some of the things that cause frustration are people, children (I know they’re people, but they have unique ways of bringing on frustration), traffic, money, not being listened to, being ignored, inability to solve a problem, recurring problems, and more.
Like all emotions and feelings, the problem isn’t frustration, it’s what we do with it and what we allow it to do to us. In my example, I allowed it to bring about anxiety and stress.
David overcame frustration by telling God all about it. He knew that faith overcomes frustration when you turn to God the moment you feel the negative feeling. David defeated frustration using his love of God’s law. That might sound odd, since we don’t think of the law as being something to turn to. It’s just something to be obey.
David knew that the law, Torah, was a safeguard. The one who obeyed was protected by the God who created the law. It was for the good of the people. The Ten Commandments, for instance, protect us from the trap and lure of sin as we obey.
Steps for Overcoming Frustration
So, the first way to control frustration is to turn to the Word of God. Find some verses that help you control whatever feeling might be trying to take over your life. At the end of this blog, you’ll find a link to 30 Scriptures to Overcome Frustration. The Word shows us how to overcome frustration.
The second way to overcome is through prayer. Tell God all about what caused the frustration and all the feelings you’re having. He listens and understands that we are continually battling the flesh. When we turn to Him, He gives us strength.
The third step is to listen and follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit. I knew I should call someone for help but I avoided it because I wanted to fix the problem myself. I finally obeyed and called for help.
The fourth step is to exercise your faith. Speak Scripture out loud, take control of your feelings, ask God for help and stand firm in your faith. It’s not gone, it’s just shrouded in the feelings of frustration.
Faith Overcomes
Faith in God and His Word are vital to every part of the Christian walk and seeing examples of frustration in the Bible builds our faith. We see that God doesn’t condemn or belittle anyone about their imperfections. Instead, He covers us with His love. In each example above, we see a God who answers prayer and keeps His promises. Yes, we may struggle and experience frustration and pain, but God is always faithful.
How to Overcome Frustration
- Listen to the Holy Spirit.
- Use the Word to build your faith.
- Don’t give up.
- Pray and pray some more.
- Pour out your heart and emotions to God.
- Praise and Worship God.
- Ask for help.
Overcoming Frustration
30 Scriptures for Overcoming Frustration
When you’re frustrated, having a resource you can quickly refer to is a big help. When you can’t think of what to say or read, you can use this list to help you find your way back to peace.
Just click on the picture below and you’ll be able to download the PDF document. Be sure to personalize the scriptures by inserting “I” or “me” wherever you need to. Use the Scriptures as prayers. You can take this with you wherever you go and add your own verses to it.
One final thing. Don’t let the enemy convince you that you’re a failure. Lighten up, laugh at yourself and remind the devil that frustration in the Bible proves God doesn’t condemn and faith overcomes.
You might also enjoy reading – Praying the Scriptures for Strength
Inspiration For Life Today uses verses from different Bible translations. To see more information about the copyright for each one, please visit this page – Scripture Citations.