Oil Of Joy For Frustrating Times

Frustration is a real or perceived resistance to your ability to ensure change or achieve your goals.

An example is my work load. The company took on a new product which resulted in system issues, changes in process and procedures and balancing other demands. Each step of the way there has been set backs with an increasing frustration to get most of the work done before the end of the day. I'm not alone. Other team members are struggling to stay current with their desks only to find the backlog of work the next day.

And there's spiritual frustration. Your prayers seem to grind in a static heat over and over again while yearning for an answer or a breakthrough. Days, weeks, months and even years past and still no answer. The child is still a prodigal. The wife suffers from depression or the husband keeps looking for work.

When gears grind in a bicycle or in a car without lubrication it can overheat and breakdown. Much like our daily lives as we face many frustrating times that is beyond our control.

Oil of the Holy Spirit is the answer.

Speaking of Christ, it says, "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." (Hebrews 1:9 NIV).

In frustrating times, the Spirit of God, who like oil, comforts aching joints. The same oil runs down an overheated mind tormented by troubling thoughts. This anointing oil carries power for demons to flee (Acts 10:38).

When you are frustrated, ask God to break through the grinding and gritting moment. Ask for the supernatural oil that never runs dry but with God it's always in fresh supply.

Remember the story of the good Samaritan (an outcast by Jewish society) who helped a Levite (God's priest and people). It says, "He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him." (Luke 10:34 NIV).

The oil of joy only increases when in our time of frustration, we pour oil and wine to heal another.