WISDOM FOR LIVING DEVOTIONAL
NOVEMBER 15, 2020
TOPIC: POUR OUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS TO GOD
BY T. O. BANSO
Frustration is defined as a deep chronic sense or state of insecurity and dissatisfaction arising from unresolved problems or unfulfilled needs.
Everyone, including children of God, faces frustrating situations at one stage or the other in his life. Frustration can set in when a man doesnât see progress in what heâs doing, when he doesnât see the result in a particular endeavour, when a particular negative condition seems to be defying all remedies or efforts, etc.
In Jeremiah 20:7-10, a prophet of God of Jeremiahâs standing, out of frustration, wrongly accused God of deceiving him. But it wasnât true that God deceived him when he called him to be a prophet. Jeremiah said that because of what he was going through. He said it out of frustration arising from people laughing at him because of the prophecies God gave him to speak to the people and the persecution he was receiving from the people.
Although Jeremiah poured out his frustration to the LORD; he didnât turn against God. He still had faith in God. Immediately after pouring out his frustration, he said in verses 11-12: âBut the LORD is with me as a mighty, awesome One. Therefore my persecutors will stumble, and will not prevail. They will be greatly ashamed, for they will not prosper. Their everlasting confusion will never be forgotten. But, O LORD of hosts, You who test the righteous, and see the mind and heart, let me see Your vengeance on them; for I have pleaded my cause before Youâ (New King James Version).
In the book of Job, we also find Job pouring out his frustration to God. In the process, he said what he did not understand, things too wonderful for him, which he did not know (Job 42:3). However, after God had spoken to him, he realized he was wrong; he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). Nevertheless, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, âMy wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job hasâ (verses 7 New King James Version). Despite pouring out his frustration to God, Job still had faith in God.
The devil will always want to frustrate us at some points in our lives. What is important at such times is how to handle the situations so that we donât give up; we must overcome and go ahead to fulfill Godâs purposes for our lives.
Some people talk to everybody about their frustrating situations except the most important person. Sometimes they waste their time discussing with people who may only make them a subject of gossip rather than be of help to them. Be selective about people you share your troubles with.
Let the Holy Spirit lead you about the person to share your frustration with â nobody is an island to himself. âShare each other’s troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobodyâ (Galatians 6:2-3 New Living Translation). Â Romans 12:15 says, âWhen others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrowâ (New Living Translation). You need other people in your life.
While you should be selective about those you discuss your challenges with â God may use them in His own way to help you â but realize that there is a limit to what human beings can do for you even if they have the best intention.
Consider this dialogue between Rachel and her husband, Jacob: âWhen Rachel saw that she wasn’t having any children, she became jealous of her sister. âGive me children, or I’ll die!â she exclaimed to Jacob. Jacob flew into a rage. âAm I God?â he asked. âHe is the only one able to give you children!ââ (Genesis 30:1-2 New Living Translation). Jacob admitted his limitation. As much as he loved Rachel, he couldnât help her until God opened her womb.
Elkanah couldnât help Hannah either until God answered her prayer and gave the fruits of the womb. Hannah discovered the secret of pouring out her soul to God rather than bemoaning the taunting of her rival, Peninnah.
She replied to Eli who had accused her of drunkenness that she wasnât drunk but she had poured out her soul before the LORD. âBut Hannah answered and said, âNo, my lord, I am a woman of sorrowful spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor intoxicating drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD. Do not consider your maidservant a wicked woman, for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief I have spoken until nowâ (1 Samuel 1:15-16 New King James Version). Did you see that phrase? – âBut have poured out my soul before the LORD.â  While you may discuss with the people you consider necessary to talk to, pour out your soul before the LORD.
Cast your care upon him for the LORD cares for you (1 Peter 5:7). If youâll give your burdens to the LORD, heâll take care of you; heâll not permit you to stumble and fall (Psalm 55:22). Donât be worried about anything rather pray and thank God. âBe anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christâ (Philippians 4:6-7 New King James Version).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto you today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and resurrected the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like the palm tree and grow like the cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The LORD be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Â Father, I will tell you exactly how I feel. I will pour out my frustrations to you because You love me dearly. Father, solve my unresolved problems and meet my unfulfilled needs. Please meet the needs of others who are currently going through frustrations. Deliver all those who have suicidal thoughts because of frustration.
(For over 300 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President, Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
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