Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Frustration a sin?

Have you ever thought of frustration as a sin?  In the book "Respectable Sins" Jerry Bridges very effectively explains how he believes that frustration is a sin.  Even getting frustrated at the small things like slow traffic or your computer not working correctly is sinning.  He explained that when we get frustrated we express disbelief in the sovereignty of God; we don't accept that whatever is causing the frustration was ordained by God.  God placed that experience in your life for a reason and he desires that you experience it.  When we get frustrated we are actually getting frustrated at God and disbelieving in his goodness, faithfulness, and sovereignty.

While at first glance this may seems very condemning, i have found great joy in this idea.  I have begun to change my mindset and attempt to see EVERY detail of my life as part of God's plan for it.  I have begun to see Psalm 139:16 as it should be seen and accepted: "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Anything i experience, even the things that annoy me or discourage me, were placed there by God for my betterment and His glory.  I should not become frustrated or angry at anything; i should instead acknowledge His sovereignty and rejoice in the goodness of His planning of my life.

4 comments:

  1. hmm.....that's an interesting way of looking at frustration. I can't decide if I agree or not. I'll have to ponder that some more. :)

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  2. I'm with soulysophia on this one. Ponder, I must.

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  3. Whether or not it is a sin, my thinking has been transformed by realizing that i get frustrated because i forget that God is in control. Over the last few days since i finished the book i have experienced amazing peace. Whenever i am tempted to get frustrated i remember that God has placed the circumstance in my life for a purpose. I am moved to rejoicing rather than to frustration. Even if it is not a sin, it is worth applying to life.

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  4. Amen! In full agreement there.

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