A major component of frustration is discouragement. There’s an incredible story in the Bible about David and his men that teaches believers how to deal with discouragement and frustration. David and his mighty men had left their home in Ziklag for a few days. When they got home, their city had been burned to the ground and their loved ones kidnapped. These men were returning home from the rejection to fight in battle with the Philistines. The commanders of the Philistines believed David and his group would become an adversary if they went into battle with them (1 Samuel 29:4). Perhaps they were encouraged not to go into battle. Yet their happy mood was short-lived when they returned home to find a disaster had happened.
We see how they dealt with this situation in 1 Samuel 30: 4-6 (KJV): “Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
Notice that both; David and his men wept because the situation was quite tragic. Yet David, unlike his men, didn’t give in to discouragement and frustration. His men were so frustrated that they thought of killing him. How would that have solved the problem? Thank God David knew how to deal with depression. Although he was distressed by his men’s reaction, he encouraged himself by trusting in God. However, this is just one way of dealing with frustration.
Concerning other ways of dealing with frustration Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv. wrote in her book, “HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION, ”The best way to deal with frustrations induced by others is to avoid the causal character as much as possible or devalue its influence on one’s thoughts. So, subverting their influence will allow you to focus your energy on that which gives you more joy, encouragement, and happiness as their effect wane and eventually fizzle out into an inaudible space no matter how often, loud or many they are. It is advisable, too, as a precautionary measure, to know and understand the truth and reality in any endeavor you’re venturing into to prevent unnecessarily high hopes and expectations that could at best be “dash bound” and instead pursue practically feasible results.”
Not only that, you also need to start committing your ways into God’s hands, asking Him to order your steps. Joyce Meyer said “Frustration is a sign you are acting independently, the more you try your own way the tightier the doors will stay closed.”[1]So, it’s time to let go of your life’s wheel for God as Proverb 3:5-6(NIV) admonishes “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”
Do you want to learn more about how to overcome depression and live a life full of laughter and fulfillment? Then get this life-transforming book, HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION by Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv.
[1]https://www.azquotes.com/author/10027-Joyce_Meyer/tag/frustration