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"FASCINATED WITH FRUSTRATION?"
He trained hard for the 2000 Ironman Triathlon World Championship and
it looked like it was going to be his year to make his mark. He had
traveled many miles in training and to race in qualifying events and now
while in Kona, HI it was time to acclimate to the area with some light
training. Everything seemed perfect for the race of his life. Then it
happened. Returning from a bike ride, he was hit by a car and
hospitalized. The training, the discipline, the traveling, and all the
preparation for what was going to be his year was over. How frustrating!
Lying in the hospital, Chad Hawker began to move from his frustration as
he began to be fascinated with the circumstance, asking God, "How
does this fit into your plan for me? How can I use this to honor you?"
From his accident and time in the hospital came the Iron Prayer concept,
offering athletes a gathering to worship, pray, and help them find added
strength in taking the focus off themselves and focus on the source of
strength and power, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Iron Prayer ministry has
grown beyond the 2000 Ironman Triathlon World Championship to
triathlons around the world.
Frustrating moments are something we all face, from traffic jams, to
disappointments on the job, to family moments, and more. We all face
times of frustration. The Bible is clear about what our attitude should be
in times of frustration and disappointment. We are to recognize
frustrating moments as "faith building" sessions when we find added
strength by drawing close to God.
James 1:2-4 (The Message) Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests
and challenges come at you from all sides. [3] You know that under
pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.
[4] So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you
become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and
trials, for we know that they are good for us-they help us learn to endure.
[4] And endurance develops strength of character in us, and character
strengthens our confident expectation of salvation. [5] And this
expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us,
because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT) Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-
rejoice! [5] Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.
Remember, the Lord is coming soon. [6] Don't worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for
all he has done. [7] If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which
is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace
will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
That all seems good and right - but what can we do when we are really
annoyed? Instead of exploding and venting our frustration which will get
us nowhere, what if we, like Chad in his moment of disappointment, took
a step back and allowed ourselves to be fascinated by the frustration?
What if we began to ask questions in search of how God is using this
and what He wants from us?
God has promised to answer us when we ask. You can turn the
frustration of what appears to be negative into something positive by
asking the right questions.
Matthew 7:7-8 (NIV) Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you. [8] For everyone who asks
receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened.
Remember, God is not out to ruin our lives and frustrate us. He has a
plan for us that even makes use of our frustrating moments.
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the
Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope
and a future.
The more we look at times of frustration: the setbacks, the
disappointments, and the daily aggravations as something God can use,
the less we'll be filled with irritation and the better day we'll have, even
when things aren't going as planned.
If you want power in your life today, think about being fascinated when
frustration comes your way.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
www.bobbrubaker.com
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