Family Man Librarian

How to deal with intense frustration

Posted by FamManLib
July 16, 2008

Dear readers, can you provide me with advice on how to deal with intense frustration? Not over one particular issue or even in one area but many different ones spanning multiple aspects of my life. I suppose the ultimate answer is patience. The Bible speaks of having patience through times of trial. If you have other suggestions or things that work for you, though, I’d like to hear them.

Information and Links

Join the fray by commenting, tracking what others have to say, or linking to it from your blog.

Information: July 16th, 2008; Comments

Feeds and Links: Comment Feed; From This Author; Del.icio.us; Digg; Technorati

Categories and Tags: family man librarian

Other Posts: What is Enterprise 2.0?; Revisiting the soundbite issue

Viewing 7 Comments

Mark Andrews 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

One way to deal with intense frustration is to assess the importance of frustration - better yet, the causes of frustration - compared to some higher goal or focus point. Its like having a trajectory, but with an added measure of flexibility. Since you refer to what Catholics call Sacred Scripture, the Scriptures themselves speak over and over again, and at length, about what's important.

The different books of the Bible, being different in literary form and structure, contain endless examples, suited to different people, different temperaments, and different personality types, about keeping the focus on God's endless generosity, loving-kindess and patience, both with His people, Israel, and later, by extension, all who are dignified with the title Christian (and indeed anyone seeking God with a sincere heart).

If life forever with God is my ultimate goal, the day's frustrations may by comparison be reduced insignificance.

A caveat, though, based on personal experience working at a mental health agency. Let me first say that I am not a healthcare professional. Any one who even thinks they have a problem should seek competent help. I do not mean to imply that others have problems, only that I'm a dumb bloke who's just trying to be helpful.

Okay, that said, nothing I'm saying should artificially diminish some real and continuing source of frustration. For example, if some one is hitting another person, I am not saying put up with it while focusing on a better life some day. By all means, call a cop or something.

My 2 cents worth.

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

FamManLib 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Thanks Mark, this is helpful.

Steve

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

3 /people/FamManLib/ /people/FamManLib/following/ http://www.familymanlibrarian.com 552938337 in/steveoberg FamManLib FamManLib steve_oberg

John Lang 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I'm sure you know the Bible well enough...these thing helps A LOT: 1) receive the weekly prayer list of any large church and pray for each one and 2) take some quiet time to reflect on His past obvious blessings. I will pray for you.

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

http://lonewolflibrarian.wordpress.com/

dbigwood 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Frustration causes physical reactions in the body. These can be bad for your health over time. Physical exercise will burn off the flight-or-flight chemicals released by frustration. Only treats the symptons, not the cause of the frustration, but it does leave you better equipt to deal with the causes. I prefer a swim, my co-worker runs, and my wife walks. Find what works best for you.

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

0 /people/dbigwood/ /people/dbigwood/following/

FamManLib 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

David, thanks, I think exercise would help me a lot. Now I need to just "do
it."

John, thanks for your comment and I appreciate your prayers.

Steve

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

3 /people/FamManLib/ /people/FamManLib/following/ http://www.familymanlibrarian.com 552938337 in/steveoberg FamManLib FamManLib steve_oberg

ksclarke 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

I think I'd agree that the ultimate answer is patience. For me, frustration is also a result, sometimes, of confusing the things over which I have control. I like the serenity prayer ("grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference") as a practice for dealing with these particular things/times. Patience is a part of that of course, but there is also the desire for wisdom.

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

1 /people/ksclarke/ /people/ksclarke/following/

FamManLib 4 months ago 1 point
Please login to rate.

Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.

Kevin, agreed. I don't handle that whole "lack of control" thing very well,
obviously. And at the same time I realize that there is very little over
which I truly have any control...

reply edit reblog flag record video comment

3 /people/FamManLib/ /people/FamManLib/following/ http://www.familymanlibrarian.com 552938337 in/steveoberg FamManLib FamManLib steve_oberg

Trackbacks

(Trackback URL)