Friday, November 12, 2010

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Be Careful What You Ask For


Temptation, frustration and discontent are part of being human. The television shouts at us, hoping to convince us we can't live without the latest gadget, or the stories streaming across the airwaves do their best to convince us that the troubles of life are easily and quickly resolved. We want perfection from ourselves or our friends and family. We want to be smarter or prettier or healthier. And we go to God with our list of wishes.

Beware, for we have only 20/20 vision at best. But God sees it all. And yet, we often believe we know best, and when God doesn't immediately answer our prayers, we ask again. We may even demand. There are times that He gives us what we demand, even though He knows our desires are not best. Sometimes that's the only way we learn.

In 1 Samuel 8 the people wanted a King, even though it wasn't what God wanted. Through the prophet, Samuel, God reminded the Israelites what it meant to have a king. Their sons would be called to fight wars, their daughters would be forced to cook and bake and make perfumes for the king and his officials. And the king would take a tenth of their grain and the rest of their harvest . . . and a long list of other requisitions. Life lived under the leadership of an earthly king would be unsettled and harsh. But the people persisted. So, God gave them what they wanted--King Saul. In the end they paid a heavy price.

I have my list of wants. Some of them line up with God's plans for me, but there are other desires that aren't part of His will for me. Still, it is a battle to release them. Again and again I must remind myself, "Not my will, but thine."

Some of the tough stuff I live with puzzles me. I don't like it and I ask, "Why?" God's answers gently, "Trust me."

And so I pray and relinquish my desires. The more I seek His face, the more His voice drowns out the world's and my own. And sometimes I am rewarded by exquisite moments when peace rushes in and carries me above the stridency of the world.

God knows best and when we settle into His will we find a quiet place of peace and contentment. If only I could abide there always.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

5 comments:

  1. ... and the things of earth will grow strangely DiMMMMM, in the light of His glorious face. Awww. Ahhh. Awe.

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  2. Thanks, Patti -- right on.

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  3. I am so thankful God has said no to some of my prayers. He said no to marrying that boyfriend, said no to that college, and for such answers I'm most thankful!! Hard at the time, but just the direction I was supposed to go.

    Thanks, Bonnie.
    Love,
    Kristen

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  4. Hi Kristen. Some of God's answers for us are sooo painful, but doing something else would have been worse.

    It's especially hard when we're in the middle of something we don't like and wonder if we're supposed to be here indefinitely--a new normal. Yikes! I sometimes panic, but then I manage to take a deep breath, close my eyes and remind myself who loves me most. And then I'm better. Wondering what God has for me next.

    Hugs to you.

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  5. Hi Kristen. Some of God's answers for us are sooo painful, but doing something else would have been worse.

    It's especially hard when we're in the middle of something we don't like and wonder if we're supposed to be here indefinitely--a new normal. Yikes! I sometimes panic, but then I manage to take a deep breath, close my eyes and remind myself who loves me most. And then I'm better. Wondering what God has for me next.

    Hugs to you.

    ReplyDelete

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