Frustration in itself is no bad thing. If your passionate about changing something it should cause frustration, but it is how you deal with that frustration that is important. Frustration can fuel passion or make you apathetic to change. I am often not too sure how to deal with it or use it. At times i've been overwhelmed by it and used it as an excuse not to try. It can damage the peace I have from Christ. Not the peace I have from the assurance that I have been made right with God through Jesus Christ that I have not lost, but the Spirits peace, at times i completely lose it caught up in thought.
This is one frustration I have, it comes and goes. It can take up too much of my thoughts and take my focus from where it should be. If you read my previous posts you'll know I'm reading through the Old Testament. My progress is definitely slowing! But i'm still going. In it a phrase I love is found, and hence the title of this blog- Blessed to bless. God blesses Abraham to be a blessing to others.
Money and how it should be used is something that has always bothered me. I still remember when I first saw this video (below), it was during a team meeting back in 2008. I'm not sure when my heart for the poor began, but i can recall this clearly. At the time i was beginning to looked at what others had and considered my self less well off, and while that was true, the video turned my attitude upside down. I was blown away by how blessed i was and how rich i was. If you've time- watch it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAnbwNeCQ5w
I decided to read The Me I want to be, by John Ortberg last year partially because i did not like the title. I'm much happier with the extended title, if you read on under it 'Becoming God's Version of You' and the book itself. Beforehand i really struggled, and was very frustrated by material desires. I can be very fussy but when i see something beautiful be it clothes, stationary or anything, i will love it. I will want it. When this happens my automatic reaction is one of this is wrong. I feel guilty, because i have what i need and others do not, so why should i want more. And so i generally dislike shopping. I've always thought that the moto 'give until it hurts' was admirable. Give until it means you cannot have something you would have liked.
What i fail to remember and one of the things this book reminded me of was that God has implanted us with material desires. It is part of how you and i are made. We have been made to see beauty in good design and craftsmanship. Here is a great quote from the book;
"If we could purge away all our sin, we would still desire material things because God created that stuff. All stuff, ultimately, is part of God’s creation, and therefore it is all good. And therefore it is desirable."
He pointed to Lydia in Acts, who was a good businesswoman, she was the first convert in Europe. So good at making money she owned her own home, which would then function as the first church in Europe. God used her passion in textiles and making money so she could provide the first church building.
God sent His son to bless us, so we could be a blessing. We are blessed. Both through Christ our Saviour and with wealth like Lydia. How do we then bless others with our good news and with our wealth? And how do i become less frustrated with the question of should i buy this? (When it arises, i have not been shopping in yonks! Student budgeting and all that.) I still think that give until it means you cannot have something you want is a good bench march, if not miss used. But i also should remember that material desires are not wrong, the beauty i see in material things can lead to praise of the Maker of all things. (and so i will be less so frustrated by the desire for 'earthly things')
"If material desires choke your generosity, cause you to live in debt, or create chronic dissatisfaction, then it is time to say no. But it is a good thing to put beauty in your environment that speaks to your soul. When you see that beauty, embrace that God-given joy and thank him that he is such a good God."
