It’s great what you are doing now and how you inspire others with your testimonies and writings, best regards and would love to be in touch.

Alexis Soto (Contact in Panama)

There are a lot of things we agree on and that Jesus lived a perfect life is the most important.

I dont normally like to get into the meanings and use of words but when dealing with the character of God, the meaning of words and a good understanding is important. But more important is that everything we know and understand in the Word is led by the Holy Spirit. I have read that passage many many times through my life and always had the same thoughts that Jesus was frustrated. It wasnt until God revealed to me what I have shared with you that my eyes were open to the reality of how Christ lived. If we are not careful to listed to the Spirit and just take what we have learned since we were kids, we can take a word, a passage or about anything out of the context God intended it to be in. I have to admit that I have never seen the definition you state. I believe Jesus was upset but not frustrated.

I believe fully, too, that God uses our frustration, when we get wrapped up in it. I dont disagree that some great things have come from peoples frustration, as you have mentioned. But even better things have come when people let God lead and direct them through those times to bring about His planned results instead of getting wrapped up in frustration.

I love, love, love that verse you use because it expresses Gods desire for us perfectly: creation (us) was subjected to frustration by God. WHY? For just the purpose you state, that we may turn to Him. The hope and desire that His creation would turn to Him and be liberated from the bondage to decay (frustration is included in this), and brought into the freedom from this decay as a Child of God, is what He wants. This was the whole purpose of the old testement law. The law was set by God to show the people the fact that living by the law would only lead to frustration and that the only way away from the frustration was through Him. This frustration is what brought you to Him. And that is AWESOME!!! But the end of the verse states that when we become children of God we are brought into the glorious liberty of freedom away from frustration. We are no longer bondservants to frustration, among all the other things. Seeing this, God is saying we dont have to live a life with any frustration. Yes I completely agree that when we do experience frustration, we do have a choice of what to do with it. And a lot of great things can come from it. But we dont have to experience frustration. That is my whole point, we just dont have to. And if God released us from having to experience this frustration, why is it we think that Jesus would have ever had to experience it.

So that is what God has laid on my heart about all of this. Again my intention is that eyes are turned toward Him and what He says, not being argumentative. I look forward to each of your blogs and hearing what you have to say. And I look forward to the next time we meet in person and get to share fellowship in the Lord. Thank you for bringing discussion that pushes for greater understanding and true knowledge, I realy enjoy it and love how it bring me, and hopefully others, to a stronger relationship with Him.

Your brother in Christ
Joel

Rom 8:20-21
20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
NIV

In the King James and NASB the word “futility” is used instead of frustration. However, I still believe the point is made that God allows frustration as a motivating factor for us to search for something greater… hopefully Him!

Again, we can agree to disagree on this one, but I really think that our conversation comes down to semantics and intended meaning. Remember, I was writing this somewhat tongue in cheek. My intention was to be real, genuine and honest about the fact the we all experience frustration, and we don’t have to stay frustrated! We can stay frustrated or we can allow God to change us, and we can allow frustration to lead us to a greater place. Something good can come out of frustration.

Thanks again for your thoughts! I love discussion like this and I appreciate you bringing in another perspective that makes me ponder what i have said Biblically and spiritually.

Thanks!