What do you do with frustrations? What do you do when you don’t get something you really want (anything from clothes… to a trip… to concert tickets/restaurant reservations… to a husband… to a baby)? What do you do when you’re let down by a friend, family member or co-worker? What do you do when you have to do something you don’t want to? What do you do when you want to respond in a way you know isn’t respectful or nice? What do you do when you feel attacked? What do you do when you’re annoyed, aggrivated and disappointed?

They are inescapable. Frustrations are going to come because we’re just not going to get everything we want - for one reason or another. People will let us down because we are imperfect. We will have to work when we’re tired, help when we’re lazy, obey rules when we want to rebel. We do have to be nice in times that it takes all the energy in our being not to scream, and we will be required to defend ourselves at times. So when these inevitible circumstances arise, how do we respond in a way that proves we desire to be like Christ?

God’s thoughts are not our thoughts… they are higher, better, wise and more than we can imagine (Isaiah 55:9). Believing that He’s bigger and greater than we, we have a mighty goal to pursue. And in pursuit of being holy as He is holy, we’re asked to respond to these disppointments in love.

In love? Why? Because 1 Corinthians 13 states that we may have talents, we may have knowledge, we may believe in God, we may be generous and do good things… but if we don’t have love, all of that is meaningless. This is a love that is greater than anything we’ve ever experienced here on earth… it’s better than LIFE (Psalm 63:3). This love calls us to be patient and kind. It asks us to not envy or gloat. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. It does not delight in evil but gets excited with what is right, good and true. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres… and best of all… it never fails.

So as I’ve been frustrated this week… at having to go to work when I’d rather lay on the couch, watch tv and just have some time to myself becasue I’ve been so busy the past few weeks, I’m reminded not to be selfish. As I’ve been let down by a friend, I’m reminded to be patient and kind. As I’ve been upset and wanting to talk about someone to a friend, I’m reminded to not be rude and to not delight in doing what is wrong (gossip). As I’ve wanted to respond to these situations in the way that “feels best” by throwing up my hands, saying ugly things and giving up on what’s right, I’m reminded that these responses of love offer protection from guilt, hope when I’m weary, strength to persevere.

No, it’s not easy. Yes, I’ve failed greatly and too many times to count. But I trust in what is right and take hope in knowing that God’s ways are higher than mine. Because “as the rain and snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and fourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is [God’s] word that goes out from [his] mouth: It will not return to [him] empty, but will accomplish what [he] desires and achieve the purpose for which [he] sent it.” (Isaiah 55:9-11)