You don't have to be frustrated

Why are we faced with troubles? There may be many reasons. One could be that we're forgetting God. Knowing that God is always in control and that His infinite wisdom guides us, no matter how difficult the predicament, dissolves frustration at its roots. This knowing is effective prayer, and can lead the way to resolution of problems.

The basis of prayer is the fact that God, who is divine Love, is the source of all action, direction, and intelligence. His universe expresses perfect order. Therefore man, His image, is under His guidance. Man is at peace. He can no more be frustrated than can God.

This peace is not a peace of ignorance, bliss amid chaos. Rather, it is the peace that comes from an established order, within which is no element of discord. This order characterizes the divine universe.

We should search our thoughts to make sure we are not harboring pride, egotism, and selfishness. These spawn frustration and prevent meaningful solutions to problems. If detected, these traits need to be summarily rejected through the recognition that man is Godlike and, hence, exempt from their influence. In this way we avoid their unpleasant consequences, both for us and for the world.

Frustration is really self-imposed.It appears in part because we are accepting a lie -- that there are evil forces, sometimes actuated by ill temper, impatience, and egotism, that can defeat good. But we can dispose of this falsehood -- and of frustraion -- as we recognize the supremacy of divine Mind.

Sometimes we may be annoyed by some individual; there may seem little we can do about it. In such a case we can profitably reason: Do I really believe that God is the sole controller of all? Then, would He or could He contrive circumstances that would thwart good?Of course not! In fact, God endows us with power that, when expressed, lifts us above roadblocks that threaten to frustrate meaningful accomplishment.

Faced with attack and opposition, Christ Jesus refused to be discouraged. He said "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." n1 In following him, we can say and do the same. The need is to change our thoughts, clear out false personality triats, and see the true identity of ourselves and others. We are all really God's perfect witnesses, acting under His divine impulsion. Knowing this, we can expect that Mind's wisdom will bring about whatever correction or change is necessary to adjust frustrating situations.

n1 John 5:17

Calm, God-based thinking is indispensable; it serves as a shield. With it we can remain serene, sure of Love's quieting presence. Mary Baker Eddy n2 writes, "The calm and exalted though or spiritual apprehension is at peace."n3

n2 Mrs. Eddy is the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science

n3 Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 506.

DAILY BIBLE VERSE I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation . . . Isaiah 61:10 m