How do you handle frustration?

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“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version

I’ve been a frustrated fisherman most of my life but not as frustrated as this blue heron, or so it looks by this picture his expression. I watched this bird for quite some time. He never moved except to cock his head periodically to one side. Patiently he waited for a fish to swim past his legs, but none appeared. At one point it looked like some were swimming behind him, but they never came within reach of his long beak.

Eugene, Oregon

How do you deal with frustration? Do you hunker down like this bird, or fly away to some remote island hoping that whatever caused you to become frustrated disappears? There are numerous ways that we handle frustration.

Instead of counting to ten when you’re frustrated try reciting the fruit of the Spirit. One of these words will probably speak to the heart of your frustration.

Better yet, remember that Jesus lived by the fruit of the Spirit for us. He embodied the fruit of the Spirit. Were there times of frustration for Jesus? As I read the Scriptures, it appears that there were many frustrating moment for Jesus dealing with the crowds, the religious leaders and his disciples. Yet each challenge was met with the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the gift of God’s mercy at work in our lives it is possible to meet the challenges of frustrating situations through the fruit of the Spirit. It’s a much better way of dealing with frustration then hunkering down or flying away.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner