Suggested Reading: John chapters 9 -10
John 9:25
John 9: 24-25-A second time, they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God ” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” 25He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”
DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION
Frustration knows no boundaries.
It is an experience leaving its mark on everyone at one time or another. So, likewise, is the ability to deal with frustration and conquer it. But one must seek the relevant truth, and finding it, must own the courage to apply it.
The gospel reference for today captures the essence of the human experience of frustration. This one brief portion of John’s Gospel has Jesus dealing with this troublesome dilemma of frustration, not as an expose’ of his own, but as it attacks the unsuspecting.
Here we encounter a man born blind. In the beginning, the atmosphere is ecstatic since an encounter with Jesus has resulted in a miracle of healing. But sadly, that most liberating moment for the entire family is threatened by evil frustration. The religious authorities interrupt the victory celebration of persistent hopes and unrelenting prayers, with supposedly superior enlightenment. Consequently, in the face of undeniable evidence of the efficacy of the words and actions of Jesus, self-manufactured doubts and the fear of injured egos breed frustration. ” This man Jesus is an imposter,” they pronounced. ” He doesn’t even observe the Sabbath,” offered another.
Then, as it typically does, the malignant frustration metastasizes. “Are you sure that your son was born blind?” inquires the ruthless interrogators of the man’s parents. ” We know that he is our son and that he was born blind,” answered the man’s bewildered parents. ” but we do not know precisely how it has come to pass that he can now see; ask him!”
The unquenchable flames of misinformation spread frustration like wildfire. So consequently, Jesus confronts the same dilemma again in the chapter immediately following. ” This man is demon-possessed and raving mad!” hisses another over-confident expert concerning Jesus. Yet, another would-be defendant said,” These are not the sayings of a man possessed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?” ‘ ( John 10:21)
The nightmare of frustration continues its journey!
But what finally, is the way revealed to us to halt frustration’s malignant progression?
In the first instance, holding firm to God’s revealed truth to you and never abandoning it for someone else’s opinion is most important of all. Nevertheless, one must be critically aware of the ease by which one may portray the will of the Eternal as the perfect reflection of one’s personal, whimsical behaviour. Love is forever the identifying characteristic of God. Therefore, as God’s ambassadors, we will approach the world and its people with Love and compassion.
Notice how the line of questioning by the experts concerning his healing must have been frustrating for the one who now celebrates the unspeakable gift of sight. But listen to the trumpet note of his powerful retort in response to their tricky philosophical prodding! “One thing I know, once I was blind, but now I see.” At which point, frustration slinks away into the shadows!
The second truth for the defeat of frustration is this: Commitment to someone and something big enough to demand everything you have and are. Thereby, frustration can find no place to gain as much as a feeble foothold! But in the meantime, the incidents following this blind man’s cure, frustration continues to pursue him.
In the course of their heated debate, his interrogators refuse to accord Jesus any relationship to God. ” We don’t even know where he comes from,” they aggressively assert. But,” Love’s blind instinct makes him bold’ ” so the tormented one boldly challenges them,” Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will”. Frustration bristles for a brief moment of victory as the trouble-makers chase the most insightful man among them from the doors of his synagogue. Then finally, frustration falls into the dust when Jesus, encountering him once again, receives from the formerly blind man an absolute surrender. ‘ Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshipped Him.’
(John 9:38)
Finally, consider that frustration cannot abide in the same space as Faith, just as light and darkness cannot co-exist. Frustration results from false, negative messages from the world arriving at your door, with the caveat that this is the unchangeable future that awaits you. But on the contrary, in the basic understanding of Faith, stand still and permit God to answer the door to your heart and mind. And then, because of the Divine Presence, you will see frustration hastily retreat and, you will rejoice in the salvation of the Lord.
A PRAYER TO FOLLOW THIS MEDITATION
Gracious Father,
Author of Faith,
The final word to be spoken in all things
on earth, as well as in the hereafter;
Please hear our prayer to increase
the measure of this Faith in us.
Then in the darkness of our frustrating experiences here,
we hear Your intervening command,
“Let there be light.”
Father, may the light of Your heavenly wisdom guide us through the tangled hinterland of these pandemic experiences.
“Keep watch over the lips” of those whose virulent criticism is causing hurt and pain to the very ones You engage to help You banish suffering and death.
Father,
Teach us to be patient and reasonable in our demands when crises and confusion reign. The current path is all unknown.
Father, amidst the throes of this raging storm, strengthen our ability to Trust, that we will soon hear above the tumult, Your gracious words, “Peace Be Still.”
Lord, keep each of us mindful of the rights of others before demanding compliance with those perceived to be our own.
Father, now and forever, ‘Blest be the ties that bind our hearts in Christian Love.’ In the Name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen
Hymn: Peace, Perfect Peace
The photo was taken at our summer place ‘SHALOM’ in Michael’s Harbor, Newfoundland.