The Frustration Test
Name of Assembly: United Apostolic Church
Type of service: Bible Study
Date: October 19, 2021
Series Topic: Test Every Christian Will Face
Lesson 9: The Frustration Test
Scripture Text: 2 Corinthians 11:16-21
16 “I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also” – 2 Cor. 11:16-21.
16-21 “Let me come back to where I started—and don’t hold it against me if I continue to sound a little foolish. Or if you’d rather, just accept that I am a fool and let me rant on a little. I didn’t learn this kind of talk from Christ. Oh, no, it’s a bad habit I picked up from the three-ring preachers that are so popular these days. Since you sit there in the judgment seat observing all these shenanigans, you can afford to humor an occasional fool who happens along. You have such admirable tolerance for impostors who rob your freedom, rip you off, steal you blind, put you down—even slap your face! I shouldn’t admit it to you, but our stomachs aren’t strong enough to tolerate that kind of stuff. Since you admire the egomaniacs of the pulpit so much (remember, this is your old friend, the fool, talking), let me try my hand at it.” – 2 Corinthians 11:16-21 (TMB)
INTRODUCTION
The Frustrated Pastor
There was a church where the pastor and the music director were not getting along. As time went by this began to spill over into the worship service.
The first week the pastor preached on commitment and how we all should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. The music director started the altar service by singing the hymn "I Shall Not Be Moved".
The second week the pastor preached on tithing and how we all should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The music director started the altar service by singing the hymn "Jesus Paid It All".
The third week the pastor preached on gossiping and how we should all watch our tongues. The music director started the altar service by singing the hymn "I Love to Tell the Story".
With all this going on, the pastor became very frustrated because of this situation and the following Sunday told the congregation that he was considering resigning. The music director then led the singers in singing the hymn "Oh Why Not Tonight?".
The next week the pastor submitted his resignation and informed the church that it was Jesus who led him there and it was Jesus that was taking him away. The music director could not resist the temptation as he led the singers in singing the hymn “What a Friend We Have in Jesus".
Everyone who tries to accomplish something will face frustrations. And the more effort one gives in trying to accomplish will measure the degree of frustration. However, frustration is not the final answer, it’s only a step toward accomplishing your goals.
Personal Activity:
List a situation that was very frustrating for you but eventually became a testimony of God’s deliverance?
Reminder: The frustrating situations that you are faced with right now will eventually become the test that enabled you to testify of God’s unlimited power. Be patient and exercise faith in Jesus Christ during this night season.
DEFINING FRUSTRATION
Frustration is defined as to bring to nothing, to break, to nullify, to make void, to disappoint.
The Samaritans frustrated the Jews causing them to cease working for 15 years:
“Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2 Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esarhaddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3 But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do with us to build an house unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the Lord God of Israel, as king Cyrus the king of Persia hath commanded us. 4 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, 5 And hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia” – Ezra 4:1-5.
“1-2 Old enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were building The Temple of the God of Israel. They came to Zerubbabel and the family heads and said, “We’ll help you build. We worship your God the same as you. We’ve been offering sacrifices to him since Esarhaddon king of Assyria brought us here.” 3 Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the rest of the family heads of Israel said to them, “Nothing doing. Building The Temple of our God is not the same thing to you as to us. We alone will build for the God of Israel. We’re the ones King Cyrus of Persia commanded to do it.” 4-5 So these people started beating down the morale of the people of Judah, harassing them as they built. They even hired propagandists to sap their resolve. They kept this up for about fifteen years, throughout the lifetime of Cyrus king of Persia and on into the reign of Darius king of Persia” – Ezra 4:1-5 (TMB).
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- Frustration is an EMOTION that occurs in situations where one is blocked from reaching a personal GOAL. The more important the goal, the greater the frustration.
- Frustration can be experienced when the results you are experiencing do not seem to fit the effort and action you exerted.
Life is full of frustrations. From the minor irritations of losing your car keys or where you left your phone to the major anxieties of continued “failure” towards a goal. It is not a pleasant emotion in any magnitude.
SOURCES OF FRUSTRATION
1. Internal Frustration
- This means you are frustrated with yourself. It can mean you’re unhappy with the way you reacted in a situation.
- Internal sources of frustration involve personal deficiencies such as a lack of confidence or fear of social situations that can prevent one from reaching a goal.
2. External Frustration
- With external frustration, the stressor, or the triggers of your frustration, is outside of you. That can mean things like wasting time in traffic, or barriers to something you want to achieve. These can include a lack of money or other resources.
DANGERS OF FRUSTRATION
- Frustration is an emotion that can spiral downward leading to depression.
- Frustrating problems are incredibly energy consuming.
- Frustration can lead to anger.
- Frustration can have a highly damaging impact on our frame of mind.
- Frustration can turn a positive person into a person who sees everything as a problem.
- Frustration can slow you down, inhibit your progress, and at times completely immobilize you.
SIGNS OF FRUSTRATION
- Frustration can manifest itself in many ways. There are numerous ways to spot someone who is frustrated. People who are frustrated usually become irritable and stressed.
Some of the typical responses of frustration are:
- Losing your temper
- Giving up, leaving
- Feeling sad or anxious
- Lacking self-confidence
- Bodily abuse, starving oneself, or irregular eating habits
- Long-term frustration can be harmful on the body. Symptoms of long-term frustration can manifest in different ways. It can affect all aspects of your life, even your sleep patterns.
- Excessive frustration can lead to nightmares.
- People who experience large amounts of frustration in their lives can also be prone to exhibiting aggressive behavior.
A helpful part of solving daily frustrations is to recognize if your frustration is internal or external.
EFFECTS OF FRUSTRATION
- Frustration leads to bad decisions which makes the problem worse.
- Frustration reverses the progress achieved
- Frustration discourages any real advancement.
- Frustration negatively impacts perceptions.
WHY THE FRUSTRATION TEST
- Frustration can indicate problems in character.
- Frustration reveals the need for patience.
- Frustration reveals if we are submitted unto God.
- Frustration reveals the need of TRUST.
- Frustration reveals the need of HUMILITY
- Frustration reveals the need of God’s direction.
HOW TO HANDLE FRUSTRATION
1. Realize that difficulties are inevitable in life.
- Job 14:1 As for man, the son of woman, his days are short and full of trouble.
- Job 14:1 (ASV) Man, that is born of a woman, Is of few days, and full of trouble.
- It is called LIFE—deal with it.
- It is called LIFE—get over it.
- Don't whine and complain, it only makes matters worse.
- Those that feel sorry for themselves usually draw others of the same mind-set Misery welcomes misery!
- Frustration often leads to depression and a pity-party
2. Determine cause of frustration
- Is the problem external or internal?
- Why are things not working out?
- Can anything be done to change the outcome?
- Will more time make a difference?
3. Seek the counsel of God and listen
- Folly of Balaam (Numbers 22)
- Folly of King Saul (1 Samuel 15)
4. Do what you can and leave the rest to God.
5. Remember that this frustration too shall pass.
- How we handle frustrations determines who we are, and where we are going.
- How we handle frustrations reveals our maturity
- How we handle frustrations reveals the level to which we can lead.
- Your ability to lead is equal with your ability to stand frustration
CONCLUSION
Your promises, your successes, and your leadership depends upon you passing the Frustration Test.
Personal Activity:
Question: What are some of the issues that is causing me the greatest frustration right now?
Action: Review this lesson and prayerfully apply the principles taught in this lesson and in time this too shall pass.