This is the season of road construction. There was a sign at the entry of the turn-off at the beginning of the construction job: Be prepared for frustration!
Not one driver asked a single question about it meaning. There could be a few trying moments in this little detour.
From time to time everyone must deal with frustrations in our life. The company we worked for the past twenty-three years has gone broke. There is no severance package! We need a second blood test to confirm the presence of cancer.
No one is protected from frustrations.
From time to time people will mention that others have looked at their lives and commented: “But you had it so easy!” Very seldom is this true. Everyone comes through a lot of battles and struggles. We may go to our great-grandmother and lament: “we are going through tough times.” She will pat the chair: “Sit down honey and I will tell you about tough times.”
Life will always be a mystery. Why do some people go through years of tough times and emerge with a positive attitude towards life. They are not angry and destructive but embrace life with a spirit of joy and optimism. It brings them joy to know that your health and life are good.
We do not deny, run away from or blot out the hard seasons of life. We ask for the strength, the wisdom and energy to work through these hard times. We also work with the help of family and friends. Many times, the strongest help these people can give is to just listen, understand and encourage. The fact that they stand by us in this stormy phase of life is strength enough to continue.
This is where the power of our faith comes in. We do not walk through this life as a solitary figure. We live and walk with the risen Christ. This is especially evident when the storms of life battle our sense of security. We need to cry out in prayer to ask for help from the Spirit of God. This is not a stop-gap effort but a sincere turning to the help and courage that Jesus can give us. We need a strong hand to get through this suffering and confusion. We sincerely cry out for guidance and assistance.
Today there are parents and spouses pleading to God for an end to the addictive lifestyle of their nephew or their spouse. “This insanity must stop.” They need all the help they can get to see some light at the end of the dark tunnel. Their prayer is one of a painful, sincere ples for help.
The wise teachers of our faith have always directed us to bring our sufferings and struggles to the cross of Jesus. Tie your anger and frustration, your cry for help to the cross of Jesus. Boldly ask for the help that you need to get through this suffering season of life.
That simple road sign speaks truth to our life. There will be frustrations, betrayals and let- downs. In prayer bring them to the very foot of the cross. Get us through these “frustrations.”