Frustration

LET ME OUT! Could this baby be thinking anything else? Sometimes we are in situations where there is nothing we can do and we become frustrated. Frustration is not restricted to just babies; we all encounter it from time to time. But what about the frustration that just seems to never stop; you know, that one thing we wish would change but never does. Paul knew all about frustration as this passage from 2nd Corinthians illustrates.

2Co 12:7 By reason of the exceeding greatness of the revelations, that I should not be exalted excessively, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me, that I should not be exalted excessively.
2Co 12:8 Concerning this thing, I begged the Lord three times that it might depart from me.
2Co 12:9 He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may rest on me.
2Co 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then am I strong.

Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" and with good reason: pride. Even though Paul asked for its removal, God said something like "no". How we handle a "no" really defines us as human beings. We can let it eat at us (like the baby in the picture) or accept our situation and "move on through it". Frustration can be channeled into greatness if we rely not on ourselves but on God for guidance. Allowing God to mold us turns prisons into palaces and softens our hearts as nothing else does. Besides, perhaps little Johnny really needed a nap anyway!!