It may seem strange, but frustration is linked to hope. When your hope falls subject to something less than the confident anticipation of the goodness of God, frustration is what bitterness first looks like. If the fulfillment of your expectations depends on the actions of others, or even on your own performance, then those expectations will be disappointed at some point. Probably before 9 a.m.
You can’t make others think and do what you want, or even make yourself always live up to the level of your own expectations. What you do have control over is yourself, and how you see things. Even if you don’t understand why things are happening the way they are, there’s an opportunity to see his goodness, right here and now. If that’s where your hope lives, you’ll never be disappointed, and will develop a lifestyle of looking for his goodness, grace, and love through everything, and for everyone. Even in those that live in frustration and bitterness, you can see his goodness waiting to be released by a word of encouragement agreeing with God’s love and grace for them.
Rather than a gateway for disappointment and bitterness, let frustration become a sign there’s more hope to be had.
“Hope obstructed makes the heart sick, but when the heart’s desires are fulfilled, it is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12).
“Lord, what else am I waiting for? My hope is in you” (Psalm 39:7).
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord here, in the land of the living” (Psalm 27:13).
Equip Your Spirit 