5 Helpful Verses To Pray When You Are Frustrated
It can happen in a moment…
You can be dealing with a tantrum-throwing toddler, watching the news, driving in rush hour, waiting in some line or waiting room, or discouraged by a project when suddenly you realize your blood pressure is rising and you are frustrated!
I was going to say “getting frustrated” but if you’re like me, the getting part can happen in less than a moment.
What do you do when you are frustrated?
Lysa TerKeurst wrote…
“Spending some time getting quiet can really be the best remedy for tangled situations. Taking a step back from all the emotion, frustration, and exhaustion to sit quietly with Jesus will do more to untangle a mess than anything else I’ve ever found.”
But that’s not always easy, nor is it typically the first thing I think to do.
So, let’s ask for help to get quiet, pray the Word, and ask the Lord to untangle our messes and calm our frustrated hearts.
Because He is our source of peace and strength…
5 Verses To Pray When You Are Frustrated
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33 (ESV)
Lord, You walked among us. You know the trials and frustrations of living surrounded by the painful challenges of sin. I thank you for allowing Yourself to suffer the consequences of our sins. You suffered our pain and the punishment of our death to set us free from the power of the enemy.
So yes, while we live here we will have “tribulation” but because You defeated sin, death, and the enemy this is all temporary. Because You have overcome we can be overcomers who live with strength today and hope for the future. Because our hearts and minds are in You, we can experience peace. I thank and praise You, my Lord and Savior. Amen.
Patient people have great understanding, but people with quick tempers show their foolishness
Proverbs 14:29 (NCV)
Father, please forgive my foolishness. I want to be patient and understanding. I want to offer mercy and grace to the people I love and the strangers I meet in public. When people are careless, rude, annoying and inconsiderate … please give me what I need to remain calm and kind.
Help me use my words compassionately when I feel frustration turning to anger. Help me remember that a calm and caring word can often defuse a difficult situation. Please give me everything I need to shine the light of Your love to an easily frustrated world. Amen.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 (CSB)
Oh, Father, When I focus on myself … I am insecure, stressed, and frustrated. Most days include personal challenges. People and circumstances frustrate and the news and social media work to upset and divide. I know it’s not what you want for me. Please forgive me.
We need You. I need You. Please guard my heart and mind! Help me focus on the countless blessings You have given me through Your Son, Jesus. When frustrations rise, help me quickly run to You knowing You will give me the peace I need. You can make the impossible possible even turning frustration into peace. Amen.
But blessed are those who trust in the Lord
Jeremiah 17:7
and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.
Lord, I know I would not trust You on my own. I am sinful, selfish, and easily frustrated but You are Lord of all and by the power of Your Spirit You have brought me to faith. You invited me to SEEK You and made it possible for me to KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST You.
By Your grace and mercy, You are my hope and confidence. I need You every moment of my life and thank You for making me aware of Your presence by promising to never leave me or forsake me. You assure me that nothing can snatch me out of Your hand. What a blessing to KNOW that I can make frustration flee when I faithfully find peace in Your loving care. Amen.
Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you His peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Lord of peace, I lift this verse praying that You will fill us with Your peace. May we, Your children, show the world that it’s possible to turn frustrating situations into opportunities for sharing Your love.
May we remember that divisiveness anywhere does not represent Your love well. Help us pause and breathe when we feel frustration rising. Help us run to Your grace, mercy, and love quickly sharing Your love and the hope within us with gentleness and respect.
Fill Your children with everything needed to be the blessings You desire. And out of Your goodness … please begin with me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
The truth of this quote by C. S. Lewis makes me smile…
“Everyone feels benevolent if nothing happens to be annoying him at the moment.”
Oh, how we’d like lives free of annoying moments. But this truth from Bryn Waddell may be just the reminder we need…
“Much of our frustration is the result of not embracing this statement, ‘Not my will but Yours be done.'”
So, when you are frustrated, run to the Lord in surrender and ask Him to fill you with His peace.
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Deb, this was sooo good! I needed to read this today. The world can be quite aggravating to deal with, whether home life, work life or just trying to do life, it can get next to you. This post is great to help me re-aline my thinking, my attitude and to take the focus of of self!
Blessings to you!
Jenny
Thank you, Jenny! I’m so glad you were blessed and encouraged by your visit and kind words. God bless you as you SEEK to grow closer to Him in all things.
With this election cycle staring us down, this is sage and wonderful advice, Deb. May we all run to our loving Father when we feel frustrated, knowing that because of Jesus, we can live in peace.
Blessings!
Amen, Martha! He wants so much more for us than what is currently taking place in our country and the world. Thanks for your faithful comments and all you add to the conversation.
It is indeed a time of frustration with all that is going on now in these times. My prayer everyday Deb is, “Your will Lord!” I take so much comfort in the hope that I have in God.
Thank you for this wonderful reminder and the beautiful prayers.
Blessings to you, good friend.
Thank you, Sue. There is no better prayer that, “Your will be done.” I pray to trust and follow Him faithfully. Thanks, dear friend. I hope you’re having a wonderful weekend.
What a helpful post! I too agree that a kind word and a little compassion helps to diffuse a difficult situation. It is often hard to muster up the kind words when you are in the heat of frustration. That is what I am focusing on praying for. I need patience and God to help me find empathy for those who lash out or are inconsiderate. I have seen people change their demeanor instantly when I have offered understanding instead of feeding their frustration with my own.
Thank you as always for all you share.
Emmie
Thank you, Emmie. You’re right. It’s not easy to greet frustration with compassion and grace but it does have the power to defuse difficult situations. Not always but it sure is worth the effort to try. I try to remind myself that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength … even respond to frustration with kindness. Thanks so much for visiting and for taking the time to join the conversation. God bless you!