Recently, I saw a little boy
tugging at his mother’s coat and pointing at a small toy that was near the
check-out stand. She ignored him for a while until she finally looked down to
see what he wanted. He looked up at her and in that small little voice with his
eyes transfixed on the toy, he said: I
want that. His mother glanced at it and told him no, explaining that he
wasn’t getting it today.
The little boy let out a booming cry that rivaled a wolf’s howling. I mean he cried. His face was now red and tears had taken over. He wiggled around in frustration and cried even more. It’s a temper tantrum that most of us are familiar with either from our own childhood or from handling our own child’s tantrums.
And at the root of it is this sense of wanting something – right then and there – and instead being told no. It’s like something erupts in our minds and this sea of emotions begins to overflow causing us to work ourselves into a tirade of anger, disappointment, frustration and sadness. Our whole countenance changes.
The same true is in our spiritual lives. We pray for something and want God to answer it right then. More than that, we want God’s approval and affirming yes to our desires, plans, ideas, etc. Sometimes God answers right away with a yes if it aligns with his plan and purpose for our lives. Other times, God gives a resounding no because it’s not what he wants for us. And then there is the not yet– you’re not getting it today.
The little boy let out a booming cry that rivaled a wolf’s howling. I mean he cried. His face was now red and tears had taken over. He wiggled around in frustration and cried even more. It’s a temper tantrum that most of us are familiar with either from our own childhood or from handling our own child’s tantrums.
And at the root of it is this sense of wanting something – right then and there – and instead being told no. It’s like something erupts in our minds and this sea of emotions begins to overflow causing us to work ourselves into a tirade of anger, disappointment, frustration and sadness. Our whole countenance changes.
The same true is in our spiritual lives. We pray for something and want God to answer it right then. More than that, we want God’s approval and affirming yes to our desires, plans, ideas, etc. Sometimes God answers right away with a yes if it aligns with his plan and purpose for our lives. Other times, God gives a resounding no because it’s not what he wants for us. And then there is the not yet– you’re not getting it today.
God designed us and knows all
about us. He knows our strengths, weaknesses, and those areas that he still has
to prune. We’re not ready yet. For a number of reasons, this is true. We
haven’t had the right experience to deal with what’s ahead. We wobble in our
faith, trusting God some days and doubting him on other days. We haven’t
overcome certain fears that will surely cause us to not enjoy the very thing
that we are asking him for. So no – you’re not getting it today.
On this spiritual walk, there
will be moments when you are absolutely fed up, frustrated and crying, throwing
temper tantrums at God. It’s a part of your spiritual maturity. We learn that this
faith walk isn’t about having our way. It’s about God having his way in all
areas of our lives. It’s about being in deeper relationship with God and
trusting him whole-heartedly, believing deep within our heart and soul that he
has our best interest in mind.
Sometimes when we look back on those temper tantrums, upset at what God didn’t do, we can see now how glad we are that he made that decision. Glad that he protected us from an unhealthy relationship, an expensive purchase that we really couldn’t afford , or a position in a company that went through major layoffs three months later.
Sometimes when we look back on those temper tantrums, upset at what God didn’t do, we can see now how glad we are that he made that decision. Glad that he protected us from an unhealthy relationship, an expensive purchase that we really couldn’t afford , or a position in a company that went through major layoffs three months later.
The more you are actively engaged
in this faith walk, the healthier you become spiritually. You might still have
a spiritual temper tantrum every now and again, but you will grow through it
knowing that God is transforming you to accomplish his plans and purpose for
your life.
I have been there with spiritual tantrums! Thank God that HE knows what's best for me, even if I don't like it.
ReplyDeleteSo have I, Candance. It's a great feeling to grow to that place of trusting God no matter what.
ReplyDelete