In the context of the Bible, the concept of "frustrating" often relates to the thwarting of plans, purposes, or expectations, whether human or divine. The Scriptures provide numerous instances where frustration is experienced by individuals, nations, or even in the divine-human relationship. This entry explores the theme of frustration as it appears in the Bible, highlighting key passages and theological implications.

Human Frustration

Human frustration is a common theme in the Bible, often arising from unmet expectations or thwarted plans. The Book of Proverbs acknowledges the reality of human frustration, stating, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" (Proverbs 13:12). This verse captures the emotional turmoil that accompanies delayed or unfulfilled desires.

The account of Job is a profound exploration of human frustration. Job experiences immense suffering and loss, leading him to express deep frustration with his circumstances and with God. In Job 3:1-3 , Job laments, "After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. And he said: 'May the day of my birth perish, and the night it was said, ‘A boy is conceived.’" Job's frustration is not only with his personal suffering but also with the perceived silence and distance of God.

Divine Frustration

While God is sovereign and His purposes ultimately prevail, the Bible does depict instances where human actions lead to divine frustration. In Isaiah 5:1-7, the "Song of the Vineyard" illustrates God's frustration with Israel's unfaithfulness. Despite God's care and provision, Israel produces "wild grapes" instead of the expected good fruit. This metaphor highlights God's disappointment with His people's failure to live up to their covenantal responsibilities.

Similarly, in the New Testament, Jesus expresses frustration with the religious leaders of His time. In Matthew 23:37 , Jesus laments, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!" Here, Jesus' frustration is evident in His sorrow over Jerusalem's persistent rejection of God's messengers.

Frustration in the Divine-Human Relationship

The divine-human relationship is often marked by tension and frustration, as seen in the interactions between God and His people. In the wilderness, the Israelites frequently express frustration with God and Moses, longing for the comforts of Egypt despite their deliverance from slavery. In Exodus 16:2-3 , the Israelites grumble, "If only we had died by the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by pots of meat and ate our fill of bread! But you have brought us into this wilderness to starve this whole assembly to death."

Conversely, God's frustration with Israel's repeated disobedience and lack of faith is evident throughout the Old Testament. In Psalm 95:10 , God declares, "For forty years I was angry with that generation, and I said, 'They are a people whose hearts go astray, and they have not known My ways.'"

Theological Implications

The theme of frustration in the Bible underscores the tension between human free will and divine sovereignty. While God allows human beings to make choices, these choices can lead to frustration when they are contrary to God's will. However, the Bible assures believers that God's ultimate purposes cannot be thwarted. In Job 42:2 , Job acknowledges, "I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted."

Frustration also serves as a catalyst for spiritual growth and dependence on God. The Apostle Paul, in his own experience of frustration, learned to rely on God's grace. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 , Paul recounts God's response to his plea for relief: "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.'" This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even amidst frustration.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Frustrate.

Education and Preparation.
... ought to have been elected. How often is the hand of God seen in frustrating
our fondest designs! Speaking of this disappointment ...
/.../education and preparation.htm

Thanksgiving Versus Complaining
... of God's children in regard to His dealings with them; and they are more powerful
than we are inclined to believe in furthering or frustrating His purposes of ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 15 thanksgiving versus complaining.htm

Directions to Sinners.
... often defeated and disgraced. But here, at Philippi, he devised a new and
peculiar project for frustrating their labors. There was a ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xviii directions to sinners.htm

Acts XXV
... He remembered the purpose of the similar request preferred before Claudius Lysias,
and perceived that his only safety was in frustrating their present attempt. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xxv.htm

Having used these means to procure them
... and teachers, to bring us all, both learned and unlearned, unto the unity of this
faith and knowledge; and the neglecting of this is the frustrating of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 2 2.htm

Building in Troublous Times
... To have accepted it would have been tantamount to frustrating the very purpose of
the return, and consenting to be muzzled about the sin of idolatry. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/building in troublous times.htm

The Call of Levi the Publican Christ in Relation to the Baptist. ...
... to John, the latter, of course, as a prophet of the Creator, just as the former
is the Creator's Christ; and so the heretic may blush at frustrating, to his ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xi the call of levi.htm

Daniel.
... was there miraculous, he would say, or what indication of divine inspiration, in
the slaying of the dragon with a lump of pitch, or in frustrating the schemes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/jerome/the principal works of st jerome/daniel.htm

Of Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium.
... The mind alone, if it keep awake, gets the better of him, frustrating the
assault of his devices by its inclination to what is Divine. ...
/.../chapter xvi of amphilochius bishop of.htm

David's Prohibited Desire and Permitted Service
... answering surrender. The reason for the frustrating of David's desire,
as here given, is his career as a warrior king. Not only ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/davids prohibited desire and permitted.htm

Frustrating (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Frustrating (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel 15:34 but if you
return to the city, and tell Absalom,'I will be your servant, O king. ...
/f/frustrating.htm - 7k

Frustration (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of frustrating; disappointment; defeat;
as, the frustration of one's designs. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/f/frustration.htm - 7k

Frustrateth (3 Occurrences)

/f/frustrateth.htm - 7k

Dealing with a mother-in-law...? | GotQuestions.org

What is divine providence? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about dealing with difficult people? | GotQuestions.org

Frustrating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus