How to remove a huge frustration from your life …
Some of the most faithful Christians, some of the kindest, most caring people I know carry around a massive frustration: That of seeing other people missing out on truth, as provided to us by God.
“They have their heads in the sand!” some say.
Because of their frustration, they spend an inordinate amount of time and resources on trying to get those people to see the truth.
Here’s how you can remove this massive frustration from your shoulders: Understand that many of those people are not missing or overlooking the truth, or even have their heads stuck in the sand. Instead, many of them choose to reject the same truth that God has revealed to us in His Word.
Jesus was the Master Teacher. He was able to reveal truth with simplicity and clarity. Yet, many walked away from what He taught. Not because they didn’t understand, but because they did understand what He was saying, yet chose to reject it. For example, in John 6, Jesus spends some time teaching about Himself being the “bread of life.” In response to His teaching we read, “Many of his disciples said, ‘This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?'”(John 6:60).
Look at the initial response from Jesus:
“Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, ‘Does this offend you?'” John 6:61.
Some were “offended” by what Jesus taught because it didn’t sync with what they believed. So they rejected it …
“Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, ‘Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.’ (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.)” John 6:61-64.
John 6:66 gives the final outcome: “At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.”
It’s one thing to grieve the rejection of Christ by those who refuse Him, but another thing entirely to spin your wheels trying to make people “see” what they do see. Their eyes are wide open, their minds and hearts clamped shut.
We still proclaim the truth, but from there we must leave the outcome in the hands of our faithful God. So unburden yourself by handing off your frustration to the Holy Spirit, who can do more with your faithful sharing of truth than you may ever know or witness.
Scotty
August 31, 2012 at 11:08 am
Yet again Scotty – spot on. We know several lovely well meaning folk who will not accept the someone does not accept and believe what is being told, even demonstrated to them.
Horses, water, and drink springs to mind.
August 31, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Thanks Chris. Spot on with the horses!