How many of you get frustrated with yourselves? You know the familiar phrase, “you ought to do better.” “You ought to BE better”…”
Living with this constant voice is a horrible way to live.
I remember there was a season with my wonderful husband when I told him he couldn’t use the “F”word” around me any more: FRUSTRATION.
In the Bible, the Apostle Paul knew frustration;, check out Romans 7:15, 24 (NIV):
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.
24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?
Can you hear his frustration?
If this was what we were relegated to, it would be really depressing. This is one reason why people caught in the snare of pharisaical religion so nasty – they are miserable. But Paul goes on in Romans 7:25 to erupt in thanksgiving for his deliverance through Christ.
Conformed into the Image of Christ
The truth is, we all have distance to go to be completely conformed into the image of Christ.
But this is our destiny (Romans 8:29). And this is God’s job to finish within us, for apart from Him we can do nothing (John 15:5).
This process is not about self-improvement or changing ourselves. We are called to go from glory to glory, but this is a supernatural process. It is a process of Holy Spirit unveiling you so that you can see your authentic self. If you could do this yourself, you wouldn’t need a Savior.
Leaning on the Strength of God
The Word of God says in Philippians 2:13 (I like the Amplified Classic Version best):
[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
I would like to point out a few helpful things:
- Point #1 Walking out God’s will and pleasure is not in your own strength – it is in the strength of Love. And Love never fails, by the way (1 Corinthians 13:8).
Continual Transformation
- Point #2 Holy Spirit is continually at work transforming you. The caveat is He often works in places you wouldn’t choose. Guess who is smarter than you?
- Point #3 God is really good at His job – in this case, helping you walk out His will and good pleasure!
The Energy of God
- Point #4 If you are not thrilled with this process, He can give you the energy to cooperate. Thank You, Holy Spirit!
- Point #5 God can also give you the “want to.” Sometimes, you are not really willing. But you can be willing to let God make you willing. Or, if you are such a super hard case, you can be willing to be willing to be willing. Ask me how I know!
- Point #6 Even though God is the Source, there is a partnership He invites you into. Often this involves ceasing from fighting God in the process He is doing.
A Satisfying Life
- Point #7 What He is working in you and causing you to walk out, is about God’s good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. This idea used to frustrate me because I wanted it to be about MY good pleasure, satisfaction, and delight. However, as I matured, I finally realized that as I delighted in God, He gave me the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4). It is easy to delight in Love – He’s delightful!
So, lean into the One Who ALWAYS loves you. Put your trust in Him that He knows what He is doing and kick frustration to the curb. You are on an adventure! And the best thing is that He is right there with you – ALWAYS!
Much love,
Catherine
