The Bible says:
“Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, and hired counsellors against them, to frustrate their purpose.”
— Ezra 4: 4, 5
To frustrate is to “deprive of effect or a rendering worthless of efforts directed to some end.” Thwarting is a tactic used to frustrate that implies a blocking or acting in opposition to a person or thing moving toward some objective.
To foil is a tactic used to frustrate that implies throwing something off course so as to discourage further effort or make it of no avail. To baffle is another tactic used to frustrate that implies to defeat the efforts by bewilderment or confusing.
To balk is to frustrate by setting up obstacles or obstructions. We have all experienced frustration if we have ever set out to accomplish anything of any significance for God. We thought we would have easy sailing but storms came and complicated things.
Frustration is a tool of Satan. If we purpose and plan to do anything for God we will meet with frustration. Our perfect and simple plan to do a work for God will be thrown into chaos and confusion by the enemy.
Satan will do everything imaginable to stop or at least hinder our work. And many Christian workers do quit and put their plans away because they cannot deal with frustrations.
Both Ezra and Nehemiah had to address the frustration brought on by their enemy while they continued to rebuild the Temple and the walls of Jerusalem. Paul was hindered by Satan. (1 Thessalonians 2: 18) Should we quit when our simple and easy to follow plan gets thrown into a caldron of confusion and chaos? Should we quit when the straight forward work of God becomes difficult because Satan threw a wrench in the works?
We should first understand that before we get started on something basic and simple in God’s service that we should expect the enemy to oppose us. And we should be prepared to stay focused on the work set before us and in spite of all the frustration be prepared to move forward as God removes the frustration and the opposition; for this He will do.
For we are not ignorant of the devil’s devices. (2 Corinthains 2: 11) And if God called us to some work it is worth all the struggle and frustration we go through to accomplish it. Our plans will be thwarted and foiled and we will be baffled and meet with obstacles in the way but if it is God’s work and if we stay with doing God’s will in His way we will succeed just as Ezra, Nehemiah, and Paul did.
James H. Cagle is a Ray City resident who pastored several churches for a total of 11 years. Email him at [email protected]
