Psalms 12:1-2

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore;
    those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.
Everyone lies to their neighbor;
    they flatter with their lips
    but harbor deception in their hearts. 

Frustration can lead to generalization

Sometimes life tries to condition our hearts. David is at the bottom of life’s circumstances. He is stunned that the people he trusted had lied to him. They told him what they thought he wanted to hear but did otherwise. David sinks into depression and expresses very generalized statements. “No one can be trusted”, “I am alone”. “I am surrounded by people who are taking advantage of me.” “The godly are no more.” “Everyone lies to his neighbor.” “Their flattering lips speak with deception. “

Sometimes we must understand our emotional states cause us to extremely overgeneralize statements as we express our pain. Is it really true that there are no more godly people? Is it true that everyone lies to their neighbor? No, David is very frustrated and emotional. In this emotional state, he overgeneralizes the world according to his hurt. 

David asks God to bring judgment.

Psalms 12:3-4

May the Lord silence all flattering lips
    and every boastful tongue—
those who say,
    “By our tongues we will prevail;
    our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?” 

In frustration, David asks God to deal harshly with all people everywhere that are causing his pain. David asks God to deal with “everyone” according to David’s emotional pain.

God politely refuses David’s prayer.

Psalms 12:5-6

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan,
    I will now arise,” says the Lord.
    “I will protect them from those who malign them.”
And the words of the Lord are flawless,
    like silver purified in a crucible
    like gold refined seven times.

David calms down and turns to the Lord. Let us understand the frustration but try not to generalize our pain to all friends, neighbors, workers, or even church friends. Rest, check your heart and return to focus on God.

Let your lightnside rise above frustration.