From Frustration To Purpose
Something that the Lord told me—and He always tells me about what's going to happen the next year before the year ends....
December 29, 2024
Something that the Lord told me—and He always tells me about what’s going to happen the next year before the year ends. I get confirmation after confirmation. So, I just want to tell you, 2025 is going to be a year of celebration. It’s going to be a year of jubilee, a year of jubilee celebration. But I want you to know, without the Word, you will not see that reality. This world is trying to influence you so much and keep you in the lower realm, in a lower reality. You forget, subconsciously, how much you’re being influenced by the world—the television, the news, the songs, and the kind of doors you have opened into your life. Without the Word, you cannot thrive. If you’re not thriving in life, it means there’s a lesser intake of God’s Word in your life. May 2025 be a year of getting lean in your body and rich in your spirit—fat in your spirit! Get fat in your spirit. Be lean in your body. No poor person gets fat; even the Bible talks about being rich in fat as a sign of prosperity. So, some of us need to harness that prosperity and turn it so that our spirits become fat and our bodies become lean. 2025 is going to be a year of celebration—a year of feasting in God’s faithfulness.
During vacations, when I know I need to feast, I prepare myself. Especially if I know there’s a party coming—a Christmas party, a New Year’s party, or some other party—I prepare myself for the feast. Do you know how I prepare myself for the feast? Just before the feasting, I fast. I fast and keep my stomach empty so I can eat whatever is there during the feast.
2025 is a year of feasting. Before the feasting comes fasting. Fasting is preparation for the feast. Understand this: we are not going to fast to twist God’s arm. We are going to fast in preparation for the goodness that God is going to pour out into our lives, and then we are going to feast on that.
Before the feasting comes fasting. Fasting is preparation for the feast. But even if you can’t fast from meals, fast from social media, fast from Netflix, fast from all the unnecessary things that keep you bound. Fast from sugar. Some of you have been delivered from sin but not delivered from sugar. So, fast from sugar. Set apart yourselves for God in preparation for the abundance of goodness that He is going to pour into your life.
One of the strategies of the devil is to distract us, especially when we are close to a breakthrough.
Let me tell you a story: There was a man walking in a dark alley, and his feet hit a bag. He picked it up and found it full of stones. As he walked, he got bored, so he started throwing the stones out one by one. When he reached home, there was light. In the light, he saw the bag was full of diamonds, but now only one diamond was left because he had thrown the others away.
The blessing can be right under your nose, but you might not know how to hold it because there is no light—you are in the dark. If you receive the prophet as a prophet, you shall receive the reward of the prophet. It’s very simple.
This year, before it began, I started the habit of journaling all the things I’m grateful to God for. At the end of every month, I would recap and write down the key highlights of that particular month, expressing gratitude to God. Especially when I was disappointed or discouraged, I would go through those entries, and they would give me a lot of strength. So, I encourage you: starting next year, have a journal where you record your thanksgiving. It will be very helpful for you. By the end of this year, as we reflect and ponder on God’s faithfulness, I’m sure you can always find things to be grateful for. If you can’t find anything to be grateful for, you may be too caught up in the world’s concerns. Come, let us pray for you—and perhaps you need to receive Jesus in your life.
You have no idea—just by knowing Jesus—how much your life has already been transformed. You truly have no idea. You should come with me to the outreaches we do. You should hear the prayer requests people bring—it will blow your mind. You will become so grateful, so thankful for the life you are living. You have no idea how much of a cursed life God has delivered you from or the kind of blessings you’re living in now. But because you’ve become familiar with the blessing, you may take it for granted. Now, I’m sure there are a lot of things you’re believing for that haven’t happened yet, and there may be a lot of frustration within you. But today, I want to show you how you can turn your frustration into joy.
Every frustration can turn into a joyful purpose. Whether you’re at work, at church, or anywhere else, you will always find something to be frustrated about because you always find what you are seeking. The Bible says, “Seek, and you shall find” . If you look for water in the Sahara Desert, you will find it.
So yes, frustration is easy to find—but don’t stay there. Turn that frustration into a joyful purpose. Turn to your neighbor—especially if they’re your spouse—and say, “Turn your frustration into joy.” Look them in the eyes and say it: “Turn your frustration into joy!”
Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”
When our hopes and dreams aren’t fulfilled, it makes our hearts sick. And it’s very important to keep our hearts healthy because everything flows from our hearts.
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it flows the springs of life.”
When our hearts are sick, our lives become unhealthy. But here’s the thing: if you harness frustration properly, it can lead to joy and guide you toward your purpose. When you’re frustrated because your goals or dreams haven’t been met, you have a choice: to remain sad or to turn that frustration into joy, moving toward your purpose. Let me give you an example: There was an alcoholic father who always beat his two children. One son decided, “I will never do the same to my children. I will do better.” The other son, who went through the same experience, decided, “I will be worse to my kids than my father was.” You can go through any circumstance, but the choice is yours. Whatever tells you the choice isn’t yours is a lie. The choice is yours. You are more than a victim. Yes, bad things happen to us. But when you receive Jesus, you also receive the spirit of overcoming.
So now, you cannot legitimize being a victim. You cannot justify inaction. Be an overcomer! Frustration happens when you know your goal is here, but your current reality is down here. It arises from the tension between what is and what should be. But I’m telling you, that tension is good because it can push you toward your destiny. Some of the craziest ideas I’ve had—both in business and ministry—came out of frustration. Frustration pushes you out of your comfort zone. It’s what makes you say, “Enough is enough. I need to do something about this.” Being frustrated is not the problem. Getting too comfortable is the problem.
If you’re frustrated, don’t just complain—do something about it. The most spiritual response is to bring your frustration to the Lord. Let Him give you ideas to overcome it. Frustration is good because it pushes you toward where you’re meant to be. It shows you where you are and reminds you that you’re not meant to stay there. Some of you need to wake up to your frustration—it’s a sign of being alive.
Think about friction. When you’re driving, the force of friction comes against you. But without it, you’d slide everywhere. What’s coming against you isn’t there to quench you—it’s there to help you overcome and move forward.
Everything unique about this church came out of frustrations I experienced in previous churches. Every frustration in your life shows a gap—an opportunity for you to fill. So stop complaining and start filling in those gaps! When you go to work, you might think, “This is so bad. They don’t do this, they don’t do that.” You’ll always find something to complain about. But frustration highlights a gap, and that gap is an opportunity for you to fill.
Let me give you an example: When I was starting ministry, I was so frustrated. One day, while riding my bike and complaining to God, He said, “Why don’t you do something about it?” It’s easy to stand on the sidelines, criticize, and complain about those in action. But God calls us to step in and play. In our leadership team, we have an unwritten rule: If you bring an idea, you better lead it.
Every frustration you experience is an opportunity to step into your purpose: Frustration is good!
Romans 8:23 – “Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.”
This groaning is a form of frustration. It’s the tension between knowing the potential within you but not yet seeing it. Every child of God experiences this groaning because we know our destiny is to become like Jesus. Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced this as well. When she was pregnant, there were nine months of waiting. Nothing changed externally, but internally, everything was transforming.
In the same way, before you see external changes, internal transformation must occur. And when the internal changes, the external will follow.
Each of us is pregnant with God’s Word.
Colossians 1:27 – “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” Paul writes in Galatians 4:19, “I labor so that Christ will be formed in you.”
We know Christ is in us, but we don’t always see it manifested. That’s a good frustration! When you see a gap between what the Bible promises and your current reality, that’s a godly frustration meant to push you toward purpose.
When you declare, “Wealth and riches are in my house” (Psalm 112:3), but go home to lack—it’s a good frustration. When you confess, “By His stripes, I am healed” (Isaiah 53:5), but still feel sickness—it’s a good frustration.
When you pray for others, see them healed, but still wrestle with your own illness—it’s a godly frustration.
This frustration is meant to propel you forward, not hold you back. Let it push you into your purpose! That frustration is not there to quench your purpose but to push you into your purpose. So, stop complaining and get into your purpose. If you’re frustrated in the area of your finances, recognize this: you are called to take dominion in that area. If you’re struggling with mental health, understand that you are called to overcome and bring breakthrough to others. Your story will become someone else’s testimony.
Every weakness I’ve struggled with—things that took me years to overcome—has allowed me to lead others to breakthrough in moments. For example, I struggled for years to receive the gift of tongues. I prayed, cried, and longed for it. But when I finally received it, I understood why. Now, when I see others struggling with the same, I know exactly how to help them receive it freely and easily.
Every scar on your body is a testimony for someone else’s breakthrough. Frustration is good. Instead of complaining, ask the Lord: “How can I turn this frustration into purpose?”
Understand something: everything in God’s kingdom has to do with people, and people can be frustrating. Why do you have problems in your office? People. Why is there politics? People. But if you want to be promoted in God’s kingdom—or anywhere—you must learn to take greater responsibility and genuinely love and care for people.
If you can’t love people, forget about promotion. God’s heart is for His lost people. Lost people are messy, but they need love, care, and the gospel to experience transformation. You’re frustrated with people, but they are the very ones God is bringing into your life for your promotion. You pray, “Lord, teach me to love,” and He sends you five people who frustrate you. Why? Because growth is not magical—it’s a process.
If you want to be promoted in God’s kingdom—or in life—stop giving up on people. Your promotion lies in embracing imperfect people, because God’s heart is for them. He loves the broken, the filthy, and those stuck in the pigsty. Who’s going to preach the gospel to them? Who’s going to stand with them?
Stop standing on the sidelines. Do something with your frustration. This is one thing I admire about the previous generation—they were less selfish than we are today. Our culture has become so self-centered: “This is my space, don’t cross my boundaries, or I’ll get triggered.” It’s selfishness disguised as self-care.
Understand this: God’s heart is people. Learn to take responsibility for them. Start with one. Even if tomorrow God tells me to stop being a pastor, I will continue to invest in people because I know that’s my purpose. Your purpose isn’t tied to a title. I’ll still listen to prayer requests, celebrate victories, and stand in faith with people. Why? Because God is all about people.
Every prayer request that comes to the church reaches me. Every testimony is shared with me. Why? Because I want to celebrate with you and stand with you in faith for what God is doing in your life. I may not be able to hang out with you every day, but I will always pray for you and celebrate your success.
God’s heart is for people. If you’re getting frustrated with people, it’s time to grow up. Do you think you’re some perfect angel with no imperfections? Think about how many people patiently endure your quirks. The ones you call friends, they bear with you—they’re patient with you because they love you. So, you don’t have the right to get frustrated with people. When God loves you perfectly, you need to get on the word, stop complaining, and start loving people. Jesus did not come to create exclusive clubs. He didn’t say, “What’s your annual salary? Okay, you can join.” No, He came for everyone, which is why you’ll find all kinds of people in the church—different personalities, preferences, and quirks. Some like me, some don’t. Some like loud music, some prefer softer tunes. That’s what family is all about!
If you stop getting frustrated with God’s people, you’ll begin to grow up in life. Don’t give up on people, no matter how hard they may seem. Think about how hard you were to deal with, yet God never gave up on you. When we don’t give up on people, we’re aligning ourselves with God’s heart. But when we make blanket statements—like assuming someone is bad because of where they’re from—we’re giving up on people, and that’s contrary to what God says about them.
Don’t give up on people, because God never gives up on you. Frustration, when viewed rightly, is a sign of growth. We’re being frustrated because Christ in us, the hope of glory, is waiting to be revealed.
Romans 8:23 – “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
The Christ in us, the hope of glory, is being revealed, and one sign of that is the redemption of our bodies. When Jesus rose from the dead, He had a glorified body—not just a spirit, but a body transformed by glory. The Holy Spirit within us has the potential to transform our earthly bodies into something glorious, and that’s the hope we were saved in.
This earthly tent—our current bodies—will be swallowed up by the life of the Spirit. But how does this transformation happen? This is why I call it a godly frustration—we know the potential is within, yet when we look at our bodies, we don’t see the glory. That’s the frustration! So, how do we let this inner transformation work in our lives and experience the redemption of our bodies?
Romans 12:2 gives us the key:
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
To be transformed, you must not conform to the world’s patterns. You can’t entertain the world and expect transformation.
John 17:17- “Sanctify them in your truth; your word is truth.” In order to be transformed, you have to be set apart from the world.
Psalm 1:1-2 tells us:
Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers, but his delight is in the law of the Lord.”
For transformation to happen, you must completely reject evil. Anything you tolerate will remain in your life.
When you stop entertaining the world, you open the door for transformation. The word “transformed” here is the same word used for Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus was transfigured so much that His body shone with light—His clothes even radiated with brilliance!
You have the same potential within you. The Holy Spirit can transform not just your body, but the things you possess, so that they shine with light. You won’t need beauty products to glow when the Spirit of God is shining within you. But how do you get to that point?
Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.”
You need to renew your mind daily. Just like you don’t skip showering because you did it yesterday, you need to renew your mind every day. Your body gets dirty, and you shower to clean it, and similarly, your mind gets polluted by the world’s thinking, so you need to renew it with God’s Word daily.
The world will try to pull your mind toward its own reality. It will tell you you’re useless, that you’ll fall sick, or that because it’s winter, you’ll definitely catch a cold. But God’s Word does not say that! When you renew your mind daily with God’s Word, you can live above the reality the world tries to impose on you. How do you renew your mind? By God’s Word!
In John 15, Jesus said,
John 15:3 – “You are clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
Just by listening to God’s Word, the Word has a washing power—it cleanses your mind, detoxifies you, and removes all filth. Amen! Hallelujah!
There are two key things for transformation:
- Do not tolerate evil. You must hate evil in any form. When you see evil, you should be frustrated and ready to confront it. Don’t just tolerate it—confront evil with God’s truth. God’s truth and love go hand in hand. You cannot have all love and no truth, or all truth and no love. Love and truth must go together.
- Get renewed by the Word. You must hate the world’s system and love the Word. When I say “hate the world,” I’m not talking about hating people, but hating the worldly thinking, the system, and the philosophies that go against God. Love God’s Word.
Whatever you tolerate will remain in your life. If you tolerate headaches, laziness, or complacency, they will stay. Don’t tolerate evil, even if it’s in your loved ones. Confront evil with love, not by distancing yourself, but by challenging it with truth. When you confront evil, your love for God’s Word will grow deeper.
One reason we fast is to change our source—from the world to God’s Word. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” You cannot live by salary alone. You cannot live by business income alone. God’s Word is your provision.
Even when your salary doesn’t come or your boss doesn’t promote you, God’s Word is more than enough. You don’t work just for money; you work for purpose. In your office, maintain a man of God mindset. Even if you’re not getting paid what you think you should be, you can know God will take care of you. Work for purpose, not just for money.
You need to get on the Word wagon. Stop complaining and get into the Word. May 2025 be a year of Word explosion in your life!
When you face frustration, you need strength to move past it. Where does that strength come from? From the Word. Just as your body needs earthly food, your spirit needs spiritual food. Get in the Word.
How are you transformed? By hating the world and loving the Word. That’s why we do 21 days of fasting—so we can hate the world, love God’s Word, and be set apart for Him. If you do this, your life will overflow with thanksgiving.
If you’re full of thanksgiving, you’ll also be full of joy. But if you’re always murmuring and complaining, joy won’t be able to enter your life. Let me show you this in 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
It doesn’t say “Rejoice only when your salary comes” or “Give thanks only in good circumstances.” It says always. Even when the last week of the month feels tough because your salary is gone, rejoice always.
Colossians 3:17 – “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”
Whether you’re working hard at your job or serving as a volunteer, do it for Jesus.
One of the most important lessons we teach volunteers is: If you’re cleaning the chairs, do it as though Jesus Himself is going to sit in that chair. The Bible says, do everything as if you’re doing it for Jesus, while giving thanks.
Thanksgiving changes your attitude from complaining to joy. You can’t be thankful and complaining at the same time. When you’re giving thanks, you’re inviting joy into your life.
In Ephesians 5:18, it says,
Ephesians 5:18 – “Do not get drunk on wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.”
Then it continues,
Ephesians 5:19 – “Address one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always.”
One of the best ways to give thanks to God is through worship songs. Worship softens your heart and prepares you to receive God’s Word. But if you’re always listening to worldly music, your heart can become hardened to receiving from God.
I’m not saying don’t listen to other songs, but what you listen to influences your life. Choose wisely, and fill your heart with songs that honor God.
Be mindful of what you entertain. For example, when I go to a restaurant or hear a live band playing a secular song, I can enjoy the music in the moment. However, in my personal daily routine, I choose not to listen to secular music. I’m very careful about what I entertain, especially when I’m driving or going to sleep, because I’m cautious about what influences my subconscious.
Whatever you listen to has a spirit behind it. Whether we realize it or not, the words we hear can bring certain spiritual influences into our lives. I learned this lesson a long time ago, though I was stubborn at first. Back when I was in college, we used CDs (some of you may not know what that is), and I loved listening to all kinds of music. As a musician, I was drawn to a wide range of songs. But one night, while I was sleeping, I had a disturbing experience. I was listening to a soothing, trance-like song, and in the middle of the night, I felt as though someone was choking me. I couldn’t move or speak, and it was as though I was paralyzed. After that experience, I stopped listening to secular music altogether.
What I’m saying is, being careful about what we entertain has helped me focus more on what truly matters in life. The Bible says that just because something is permissible doesn’t mean it is beneficial. You can listen to secular music, and it won’t send you to hell, but you need to ask yourself: Is this beneficial? Is what you’re listening to feeding your spirit in a way that supports your transformation?
If you’re constantly influenced by the world—whether it’s through music, news, or other distractions—there’s a danger. As long as we’re in this world, we will be exposed to it, but we should not tolerate evil. Transformation begins when you hate the world and love God’s Word.
2025 is the year of being set apart for the Lord. This is a decision we need to make. Even if you’re single now, think about the legacy you’ll leave behind. What will your children learn from you? What about your social media presence? Would you be proud for your child to go through it? If not, it might be time to make changes. Don’t wait for something to happen before you act—change first, and the rest will follow. Transformation happens within, and your external reality will align with it.
So, here’s a practical step: Have a lifestyle of thanksgiving. Sing worship songs, even without a microphone. Let it come from your heart, especially when you’re alone. Journal your gratitude. Write down the highlights of your month, and you’ll be amazed at all the good things the Lord has done. We often forget what God has done for us, but if we write it down, we can go back and remind ourselves.
Align your life with God’s Word, and you’ll find that joy stays with you at all times. The year of Jubilee is the year of joy. How do you access joy? Through thanksgiving.
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