Maybe you’re frustrated all of the time because you’re responding to things you don’t like in the flesh.
Frustration is often a sign of the “flesh life”. Frustration often starts when we jump into a situation and our desires are not met.
The battle between the Spirit and the flesh is very real. Many times, we choose to respond to a situation in the flesh and experience the pain that comes with that poor choice.
Galatians 5:16-17 (NKJV) “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.”
We’ve all learned, in one way or another, how to rely on our own methodologies to get our needs met. Some of those habits were formed early in life. Others developed over time through experience, pain, and a sense of survival. We’ve developed habits and patterns based on what we think works. But left unchecked, those patterns become what the Bible calls the flesh.
The flesh, in Scripture, is not just our physical skin or body. It refers to the inner drive to serve ourselves apart from God. It’s the part of us that reaches for control, comfort, affirmation, or success without seeking the Lord first. It’s subtle. And sometimes, it’s so familiar that we don’t even realize we’re operating from it. Another way to think of the flesh is to see it as our “old sinful habit patterns”. The natural reaction to pain and problems which is not from the Lord.
Romans 8:5 (NKJV) “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
Every one of us has built a version of the flesh-life. We’ve learned how to manage emotions, avoid pain, gain approval, or make life work in our own strength. And many of those learned techniques don’t look rebellious. Some of them even appear admirable, like working hard, staying strong, keeping the peace, or always being helpful. But underneath, we may be relying more on ourselves than we realize.
Walking in the flesh doesn’t always mean defiance. Often, it just means we’re moving ahead without waiting on God. We trust our instincts more than we seek His wisdom. We lean on our planning more than we pray. And while it may get results for a while, it won’t lead to lasting spiritual fruit. It’s the exact opposite of what God teaches us in His Word. He wants us to rely upon and trust Him wholeheartedly.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Your flesh life must be set aside. It will ultimately destroy you. God invites you to Himself. Trust Him. Surrender that besetting sin. Rest in His faithfulness. Learn to turn to Him when difficulties come. Ask Jesus for help and yield to His power. The key is to abide.
John 15:1–5 (NKJV) ““I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
Do you often rely on your routines, strengths, or instincts to get through the day? That’s a huge problem. You know it because you live with the consequences throughout the day. The false substitute of your flesh will wear you out and tear you down. You will be robbed of your joy and feel defeated. The flesh can only take you so far before you break down. God didn’t create you to carry everything on your own. He made you to walk closely with Him.
Romans 8:6 (NKJV) “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
Pay attention when you’re feeling exhausted, upset, or frustrated. Those are big warning signs that you may be attempting to complete in the flesh what God wants to do by His Spirit. Jesus is inviting you to Himself for peace and rest, to let go of that which you’ve been striving for in your own strength. He’s not condemning you. He’s calling you back to Himself.
Let the Holy Spirit speak to you today. Ask Him to help you lay aside old patterns of self-reliance. Come back to a place of quiet dependence and trust. You don’t have to prove anything. You don’t have to carry the weight. You were not designed to run your life without God’s help.
Jesus is faithful to lead you and meet all your needs.
Frustration is vanquished when we rest in the Lord, trusting Him moment by moment.
God’s Amazing Power Over The Demonic Realm
