“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” -Romans 8:19-21
Have you ever been frustrated in your life? When it seems we’re not moving forward, or we just can’t get to that goal or dream, the resulting frustration can leave us feeling like we don’t matter, or we don’t have what’s necessary to change what bothers us. Perhaps another person stands in the way of what we’d like to see happen. Politics, church issues, child poverty and family struggles cause loads of frustration.
Not only are we frustrated when we’re not fulfilling our calling – the Bible says creation is frustrated too. However, although frustrating situations are not ideal and sometimes gut wrenching, they can be the catalysts to catapult us into something far greater.
Ben Arment, founder of Dream Year and STORY in Chicago says, “Frustration is a gift. Dreams are born from frustration.” Do you see a problem? Are you bothered by that problem? Guess what – you’re likely the one God may be nudging to solve that problem.
Most often when we want something to change, we say, “Someone really should do something about that.” It is much easier to talk about a problem than actually do something to change the world around us. The gift in frustration is that, had we never been aggravated, we would never have been uncomfortable enough to even think about trying to change what bothers us. Perhaps this involves us first being willing to change ourselves.
Maybe you don’t have the tools yet to help solve what frustrates you. Go get them. Maybe you need capital for your problem. Figure out a way to get it. Maybe you need a team to solve this problem. Find some people who are passionate about the same problem and inspire them.
Do you have the courage to tackle what frustrates you? I pray we will all be proactive about what truly bothers us. This is what will truly bring God’s kingdom to earth.
