You will encounter people throughout your ministry who create so much frustration that you will ask God, “Please help me show them extra grace.” 

Who are these people in your ministry? They may be . . .

- The church member who insists on grading your sermon each week

- The person sitting in the back who scowls at you as you preach

- The community leader who always has a complaint about your church at public meetings

- The rude congregant who likes to pick on how your family dresses or how your children behave in the service

- The demeaning and disapproving pastor from across town

Many people have developed unhealthy responses to frustration. They might avoid difficult people, but denial only delays the problem. It doesn’t solve it. They might try to make difficult people happy, but some people will never be happy. No matter what they do, it’s never good enough.

How can you respond like Jesus?

Consider the fact that God has put these people in your life to be “heavenly sandpaper.” Although you are irritated, God is using them to take off your rough edges. God is more interested in your character than your comfort.

Learn to look past their behavior to see their pain. Hurt people will often hurt others. They’re full of fear and insecurity. Maybe they’re shouldering a pressure you don’t know about.

Instead of dismissing frustrating people from your life, look at them as a gift from God to help you become more like Christ. Frustration reveals something in you, and you can give it to God to experience a change of heart by saying:

- “God, help me to be more patient.”

- “God, help me to be better at apologizing.”

- “God, help me to be more thankful.”

Frustration also gives you the opportunity to show grace to others. One of the reasons God has forgiven you is so that you can reflect his forgiveness to others. That can’t happen if you never get frustrated!