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The Gospel According to My Mood

  • Writer: Leon Valley Church of Christ
    Leon Valley Church of Christ
  • May 27
  • 5 min read
Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Someone said, “Frustration is a kind of adult temper tantrum.”


The most epic meltdowns come from kids who feel totally justified—no shame, no filter, just raw entitlement on display.


For us grown-ups, when we're in the middle of one, it feels less like a tantrum and more like righteous indignation—less like a fit of rage and more like "frustration."


Call it what you want—frustration, stress, venting—but to anyone watching, it’s still childish and selfish.


Paul didn’t whine about his “thorn in the flesh.” He didn’t throw a fit or wallow in self-pity. He prayed. God said, “No.” Paul moved on. Why?


Because God’s grace is sufficient, and Paul was humble enough to accept it. Elsewhere He said, “I have learned to be content" (Phil. 4:11). Note: learned. It didn’t drop from the sky. It came through "Christ, who strengthened" him as he submitted to the Lord day after day (v. 13).


If we're honest, many of our frustrations are self-inflicted.


We procrastinate, we're undisciplined, we plan poorly, mishandle finances, and we become malcontents who think everyone, including God, owes us something. There's countless iterations of this behavior...


The nagging wife who sheepdogs her husband everyday, nitpicking his every move. The towels aren't folded right. The spatula's in the wrong drawer. The grass is too tall. Even compliments toward others become subtle jabs at him. She might say it's about “standards,” but the reality is she’s discontent. Her life didn’t turn out the way Pinterest promised, so she takes it out on the one person who loves her most and won’t leave.


Then there's the husband who treats his wife like a dumping ground. He gets chewed out at work, feels powerless, then comes home and unloads on her because dinner's cold or not ready when he wants it. If there's toys on the floor, that's another excuse to use her as an emotional punching bag. The truth is, he's not a man. He's a child in man's body. He needs to grow up and strive to be more like Christ who loves, nourishes, protects, and sacrifices for His bride.


Another is the passive-aggressive church member: He’s bitter about not being asked to lead a prayer as often as he'd like. So he sulks, throws shade in Bible class, and quietly resents the elders. What he really wants is to be noticed, respected—to be in the spotlight. Whenever he's passed over, the bitterness grows. If he would be content in whatever opportunity he's given, and do it with all his might "as for the Lord and not for men" (Col. 3:23), he’d find that bitterness fading. He’d find joy in the hope of Heaven instead of throwing a pity party when overlooked. As it stands, he's stagnant and resentful because deep down, it was never about serving God. It was about being seen.


So it is with the dedicated busybody: she says “yes” to everything—then resents everyone. Her frustration builds because she craves appreciation, but when her brethren don’t notice or applaud her efforts, she turns critical and cold. She gossips behind their backs, wounded that her sacrifices go unrecognized—though none of them ever asked her to be a martyr in the first place (Luke 17:10 or Gal. 1:10)


What's the real problem here?


These aren’t just moments of “misdirected frustration”—they’re sin. These are selfish thoughts, bitter attitudes, and prideful hearts on full display.


Fix it. But don’t waste time blaming your boss, your spouse, or the alignment of Mars. Scripture doesn’t say “Cast your cares on God,” so you can sit on the couch and rehearse all your excuses (1 Pet. 5:7; Matt. 6:34). It means trust Him while you get to work.


God doesn’t need perfect conditions to accomplish His will. In fact, He prefers to work through worst conditions so that His power will be magnified.


Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (Jas. 1:2-4).

Let the trial produce perseverance. Or keep throwing tantrums—just don’t expect any growth or favor from Christ.


Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matt. 12:34). Husbands don’t explode because they’re tired. Wives don't nag because they're under stress. Fathers don't provoke their children to wrath because, "Ya know, it's just been a really long week." We lash out because our hearts are full of self and full of pride.


Frustration reveals what’s already inside—a refusal to die to self, a craving for control, and a demand for things to go your way. What we're calling "frustration" in these situations is what the Bible calls wrath, resentment, and cruelty—all works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).


Don't "cast your anxieties on God" and quit. Cast them because He cares for you. Don't forget the next verse!


Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet. 5:8).

That’s a call to trust Him and obey while you cast your cares upon Him! Jesus never said, “Worry about nothing because God will magically fix it.” He calls us to take no thought for tomorrow—because today has enough to deal with (Matt. 6:34).


Let’s be honest, if we're consistently throwing fits and attacking/blaming everyone around us, this isn’t just stress. It’s sin.


It’s pride, it’s selfishness, it’s bitterness. And Jesus didn’t die so you could keep living like that.


He died to change your heart.


To crucify the flesh (Gal. 5:24).


To teach you to deny yourself and take up your cross daily (Lk. 9:23).


So…stop "venting." Start repenting. Truth must dictate your behavior, NOT how you feel.


Humble yourself before the Lord—and He will lift you up (Jas. 4:10).


If you’re ready to lay down the burden of frustration—and pick up the strength that comes from Christ alone—then obey the Gospel. Be washed (Acts 2:38; 22:16). Be changed (Rom. 12:1-2).


His grace is sufficient—but you’ve got to want it.

 
 
 

1 коментар


shuford.hazel
03 черв.

This is excellent. So true. So true.

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