Five Steps for Handling Frustration - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - March 8, 2018
Five Steps for Handling Frustration
By Rick Warren
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3 NIV).
Here are five simple steps for dealing with frustrations in your life.
Ask yourself, “Did I cause it?” The Bible says, “A man reaps what he sows”(Galatians 6:7 NIV). We are often frustrated by things in life because we bring them on ourselves.
Ask yourself, “What can I learn from it?” Romans 8:28 says, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him”(NIV). There are many bad things in the world, but all things work together. God can even take the negative and turn it into a positive if we let him. Use irritation as an opportunity to become more like Christ.
Thank God in the situation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances” (NIV). You don’t have to be thankful for a bad situation, but you can be thankful in a bad situation. Frustration may be a blessing in disguise.
Turn the frustration into a funny, humorous event. The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV). A sense of humor is God’s antidote for anger and frustration.
Ask God to fill you with his love. Why? Because 1 Corinthians 13:5 says, “[Love] is not easily angered”(NIV). Love is self-giving, not self-serving. We get irritated because we think everyone and everything has to revolve around us. Love concentrates on the other person.
We get so preoccupied with our own things that we forget that people are the priority in life. Jesus faced constant frustrations, too, but he always made time for people.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
Talk It Over
Think about a frustration you are facing, and apply these steps —
Ask yourself, “Did I cause it?”
“A man reaps what he sows”(Galatians 6:7 NIV).
Ask yourself, “What can I learn from it?”
“In all things God works for the good of those who love him”(Romans 8:28 NIV).
Thank God in the situation.
“Give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV).
Turn the frustration into a funny, humorous event.
“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NIV).
Ask God to fill you with his love.
“[Love] is not easily angered” (1 Corinthians 13:5 NIV).
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Discover God’s power to change your life!
When you’ve had all the “crazy” you can take…
Do you have a relationship that drives you crazy? Maybe it’s a spouse, sibling, parent, co-worker, or the crazy relative that really pushes your buttons.
Pastor Rick shows how you can turn crazy relationships into peaceful ones through his You Make Me Crazy Study Kit.
This 6-week video study includes a DVD and study guide—and helps you . . .
• Reconcile with the people who drive you crazy
• Start healing from past hurts caused by others
• Understand the emotions simmering beneath people’s words
• Turn conflict into cooperation
• Offer God’s immeasurable love even when it’s hard
The You Make Me Crazy Study Kit is our thank you for your gift to share the hope of Jesus Christ through Daily Hope! Request your copy today when you give below.
May it help you learn to love even the most difficult people in your life.
This devotional © 2017 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
