Angry Bird

Eugene, Oregon

I've been a frustrated fisherman most of my life but not as frustrated as this blue heron, or so it looks by this picture. This bird let me watch him for quite some time. He never moved except to periodically cock his head to one side. Patiently he waited for a fish to swim past his legs, but none appeared. At one point it looked like some were swimming behind him, but they never came within reach of his long beak.

How do you deal with frustration? Do you hunker down like this bird, or fly away to some remote island hoping that whatever caused you to become frustrated disappears? There are numerous ways that we handle frustration.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 English Standard Version

Instead of counting to ten when you're frustrated try reciting the fruit of the Spirit. One of these words will probably speak to the heart of your frustration.

Better yet, remember that this fruit which is ours through the gift of the Spirit, was lived perfectly for you and me by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He embodied the fruit of the Spirit. Were there times of frustration for Jesus? As I read the Scriptures, it appears that there were many frustrating moment for Jesus dealing with the crowds, the religious leaders and his disciples. Yet each challenge was met with the fruit of the Spirit.

Through the gift of God's mercy at work in our lives it is possible to meet the challenges of frustrating situations through the fruit of the Spirit. It's a much better way of dealing with frustration then hunkering down or flying away.

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(Click on picture to enlarge.)

Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2014 Douglas P. Brauner.  ARR.