"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." James 1: 2-3
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go" Joshua 1:9
Do you ever feel like there’s some unseen force working against you? Maybe just trying to cause you frustration or just trying to drive you nuts? Like when you’re out watering the garden and trying to pull the water hose from one side of the yard to the other? Somehow it always seems to get caught on some stick or rock that was never there before. Or when you’re trying to sweep the patio and the wind keeps changing directions and blowing the dirt right back at you.
I do find that I tend to get frustrated at times by little things. Right now it’s my laptop. Half the time it won’t print the letters , , , , & , (oops that was supposed to be n, p, t, v, 2 & 8). It can be really frustrating! It means I have to slow down and pay more attention to what I’m typing. Then again that may not be a bad thing.
These are of course some of the little frustrations that can stack up and affect one’s attitude about life.
But what about the big ones? The frustrations in the workplace with coworkers, situations, etc. What about the frustrations in the family, with money issues, with health issues? All of these can stack up and consume our hope and make us wonder if God is really present.
It might help to keep in mind those times that tested faith produces perseverance (James 1:3) and through those times that God is there (Joshua 1:9).