I’ve recognized something in myself from this whole experience and I can’t wait to encourage y’all with it! I’m so thankful that the Lord has identified this in me and I’m glad he’s walking me through this and growing me. I hope this can relate to y’all in some way and can impact your walk as well. Here goes!
Today I was challenged to look deeper into who I am. I was challenged to identify within myself a false human characteristic that I’ve been dwelling in. I quickly identified this as Frustration.
This came as a shock to me because I usually am not someone that is angry in any way. I am usually naturally the kind, loving person in the room and I’m so thankful the Lord has given me this positive personality through my identity in him. But I see that dwelling in the basement is this instinct of frustration with others, something I try to hide and usually don’t uncover freely.
I’ve realized in the past that when people are walking through things that I have already walked through, I love taking up the challenge to partner with Christ and walk with them as they experience all the sorrow, shame, and eventually a revelation of the love Christ has for them and the identity they’ve found in Him! Usually this can be a process but I often approach it from the love in my heart and an excitement about walking with them.
But, recently, I have viewed it opposite (probably something the enemy is trying to twist up in my soul). Being in a house with 52 other people, all with different backgrounds is pretty dang hard!! As is life in school, work or even when you’re around your own family. I’ve recognized how different my ways are than others- the way I communicate, different culture, the way I receive and give love, the way I connect with God, etc. Sadly, I’ve allowed myself to get frustrated at times with people doing things different than me and I can sometimes let it fester inside me. Because I have viewed my squad as spiritually mature it annoys me when they’re not walking in that. But I’ve recognized that I don’t always walk in that as well, we are not perfect, we are human. This has given me the space to call people higher as they call me higher as well.
Luckily, the Lord has been growing me in patience in SO MANY WAYS!!! I’m so grateful. He’s shown me how to bite my tongue before I speak to others out of annoyance. He’s shown me how great it is to bring all of these emotions to him because he will reshape these emotions and allow me to view situations and people with Love before I respond in anger. Thank you Jesus.
Sure, I may get upset at times and it may blow up like a volcano! It’s not always easy being human with frustration being a common emotion. Luckily, there’s grace. He carried that frustration along with all other emotions and sins on the cross that he died on for us. I’m thankful that’s he’s continuing to shape me to be more like him and turning me to him when I feel that annoyance festering. When I press into the Lord he will lead me away from frustration and give me the opportunity to view the situation with love.
I challenge you if you’re reading this post to analyze what humanly characteristic you’re walking in that may be hurting your relationships or even holding yourself in bondage. I encourage you to give this up to the Lord and allow him to walk you through it. I can personally say that releasing control on this frustration has given me more and more opportunities to love, love like I never have before. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to chat about it (: love y’all!
