Frustration Part 2

Last night I was consumed with frustration. All night long and well into the morning, my dog thought it necessary to scratch at my bedroom door. She wanted out and then in. Over and over again while I was trying to sleep. It is difficult to not take it personally when you are tired and she is personally keeping you from sleeping. The victory of yesterday is now a distant memory.

The truth is sometimes we need to have help to not be frustrated. The help we need can come from ourselves. Frustration and irritability, not the righteous frustration, are caused by 3 things: stress, drained resources, and taking things personally. Stress can be limited or even prevented, but you need to be proactive. Stay organized, add margins to your day, and recognize when you need a break. Taking breaks is important because when our resources are drained we don't have anything left to give, either for ourselves or for others. Replenish resources through enough sleep, eating right, and taking breaks. Finally, don't take other people's behaviors personally. 

Needs

Today, I just sat there, unsure of what God was trying to show me, and prayed the thoughts that stuck out to me. There was frustration over a child not listening, testing the rules and my ability or willingness to enforce them, and frustration over selfishness, a lack of compassion for living things that depended upon us. This continued into why things happen to certain people or groups of people: the people who make up the royal family or why God set the Levites apart. I sat there and vented, asked my questions, and then stated my desires, which in this case meant dealing with people without becoming frustrated. 

I then sat there and mediated, allowing God to speak to me. I listened, but the only thing I could hear was my growling stomach. It was nearly 11 at night and I hadn't eaten nearly enough. As I made myself a sandwich, I realized God was speaking to me, He was telling me I needed to take care of myself. Just like He had to do with Elijah the prophet (1 Kings 19). God sent His angel to him to give him food and drink before instructing him to sleep. God is there taking care of us even when we forget.