Topical Encyclopedia
Frustration is a common human experience characterized by feelings of dissatisfaction, disappointment, or annoyance when one's desires or expectations are not met. In the context of the Bible, frustration can be seen as a natural part of the human condition, resulting from the fallen nature of the world and the limitations of human understanding. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that address the causes and responses to frustration, offering guidance for believers on how to navigate these feelings in a way that aligns with faith and trust in God.
Biblical Examples of Frustration1.
Moses and the Israelites: One of the most vivid examples of frustration in the Bible is found in the account of Moses and the Israelites during their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite witnessing God's miraculous interventions, the Israelites frequently expressed frustration with their circumstances, longing for the comforts of Egypt (
Exodus 16:2-3). Moses himself experienced frustration with the people's constant complaints and lack of faith, as seen in his plea to God: "Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your eyes, that You have laid the burden of all these people on me?" (
Numbers 11:11).
2.
Job's Suffering: The Book of Job presents a profound exploration of frustration in the face of suffering and injustice. Job, a righteous man, experiences immense personal loss and physical affliction, leading him to express deep frustration and confusion about God's purposes. Job's lamentations and dialogues with his friends reveal the struggle to reconcile his faith with his circumstances (
Job 3:1-26).
3.
The Apostle Paul: In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks candidly about his own frustrations, particularly in his struggle against sin. In
Romans 7:15, he writes, "For I do not understand what I am doing. For I do not practice what I want to do, but I do what I hate" . Paul's transparency about his internal conflict highlights the universal nature of frustration in the Christian life.
Causes of FrustrationFrustration often arises from unmet expectations, unfulfilled desires, and perceived injustices. In a biblical context, these feelings can be attributed to several factors:
1.
Human Limitations: As finite beings, humans are limited in their understanding and ability to control circumstances.
Proverbs 19:21 states, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail" . This verse underscores the reality that human plans are subject to God's sovereign will, which can lead to frustration when personal desires are not aligned with divine purposes.
2.
Sin and the Fallen World: The presence of sin in the world contributes to frustration, as it distorts relationships, causes suffering, and leads to moral and ethical dilemmas.
Romans 8:20-21 speaks to the frustration of creation itself, which is "subjected to futility" and "groans" for redemption .
3.
Spiritual Warfare: Believers may experience frustration as a result of spiritual opposition.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians that "our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" .
Biblical Responses to FrustrationThe Bible offers several principles for responding to frustration in a way that honors God and fosters spiritual growth:
1.
Trust in God's Sovereignty: Believers are encouraged to trust in God's ultimate control and wisdom, even when circumstances are perplexing.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" .
2.
Prayer and Supplication: Prayer is a vital response to frustration, as it allows believers to express their concerns to God and seek His guidance.
Philippians 4:6-7 instructs, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" .
3.
Perseverance and Patience: The Bible encourages perseverance and patience in the face of frustration.
James 1:2-4 teaches, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" .
4.
Seeking Wisdom: Believers are urged to seek wisdom from God to navigate frustrating situations.
James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him" .
Through these biblical teachings, Christians are equipped to handle frustration in a manner that strengthens their faith and deepens their reliance on God.
Topical Bible Verses
Hebrews 12:1Why seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Topicalbible.org1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
Topicalbible.org
Psalm 34:18
The LORD is near to them that are of a broken heart; and saves such as be of a contrite spirit.
Topicalbible.org
Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The act of frustrating; disappointment; defeat; as, the frustration of one's designs
Greek
4727. stenazo -- to groan (within oneself)... the context). [This term "denotes feeling which is " (J. Mayor, 162), ie
to sigh, moan (groan) with
frustration.]. Word Origin from
...Library
The Knocking that Obtains an Opening
... " he would have departed with a deep sense offrustration and failure. Our heavenly
Father will never rebuff his praying children, saying, ". . ....
The Sacrament of Living
... We go about our common tasks with a feeling of deepfrustration, telling ourselves
pensively that there's a better day coming when we shall slough off this...
Chapter seventeen
... drifted aimlessly, earning a precarious living by teaching or bookkeeping at the
estates of various nobles, always dogged by poverty and a sense offrustration...
Sixth Tractate. On Numbers.
... Everything seeks not the alien but itself; in that outward moving there isfrustration
or compulsion; a thing most exists not when it takes multiplicity or...
The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist....
... as a prophet of the Creator, just as the former is the Creator's Christ; and so
the heretic may blush at frustrating, to his ownfrustration, the mission of...
Whether Predestination is Certain
... But if he should, the effect of predestination would be frustrated in consequence.
Thefrustration of the effect of predestination is therefore not impossible....
Introduction to Apologia De Fuga.
... He concludes (26, 27) with a somewhat exasperated denunciation of his opponents,
and a prayer for thefrustration of their intrigues....
His Seventh Error. (See Above in Book ii. 13 [ix. ]. )
... which He either in His foreknowledge saw would not come to pass, or in ignorance
knew not that it could not come to pass, either to thefrustration of His...
The Civil Trial
... It was an act of national suicide. But was it not more? Was it not thefrustration
of the purpose and the promise of God? So it certainly appeared to be....
Two Prophets of the Inward Word: Bunderlin and Entfelder
... The great tragedy which he had to experience was thefrustration of the work of
his life by the growth and spread of the Ranter influence in the Anabaptist...
Thesaurus
Frustration (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of frustrating; disappointment; defeat; as,
the
frustration of one's designs.
...Frustration (3 Occurrences).
...Nehemiah (9 Occurrences)
... the instinctive outpouring of a heart deeply moved, but ever resting itself upon
God, and looking to God alone for aid in trouble, for thefrustration of evil...
Frustrating (1 Occurrence)
Frying (2 Occurrences)
Dash (30 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash. 9. (n.) A sudden
check; abashment;frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash. 10....
Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of discomfiting, or the state of being
discomfited; rout; overthrow; defeat;frustration; confusion and dejection. Int....
Defeat (16 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) An undoing or annulling; destruction. 6. (v.)Frustration by rendering null
and void, or by prevention of success; as, the defeat of a plan or design....
Tobit
... below). The crux of the story is the bringing together of Tobias and Sarah
and thefrustration of the jealous murders of Asmodeus....
Anaharath (1 Occurrence)
... below). The crux of the story is the bringing together of Tobias and Sarah
and thefrustration of the jealous murders of Asmodeus....
Eye (145 Occurrences)
... Therefore mothers bestowed constant care against thefrustration of such
fancied designs by means of innumerable sorts of charms....
Resources
Is it wrong to be frustrated with God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Four Noble Truths? | GotQuestions.orgIs it sometimes God's will for believers to be sick? | GotQuestions.orgFrustration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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