Problems? Ha!

Just a Walk to the Store

Dec 12, 2024

“Way to Big Creek” by Myra Alibrando

How 100% Faithful Can be Meaningless

God has been 100% faithful, unless one shrinks their mind to call getting in shape "unfaithful".

Compared to those who have really suffered, what we call suffering may be a problem, an inconvenience, or a delay. Too often we lose patience, complain, get in a bad mood, or say something nasty as a response.

When we lack money, time, or resources, we may ask God for help, as if He missed something in providing for us. We ask Him to come through for us even though ages ago He promised He would be our provider, protector, and guide.

Out from Under His Umbrella?

But maybe it is we who have stepped out from under His promise umbrella.

Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. John 15:4

More than likely, it is we who have missed something. God is usually not punishing us or forgetting us, but we are simply enduring consequences for our choices. Sometimes there is simply pain from this cursed world we live in.

God is not asleep but we might be not abiding in Him, we may not be "plugged in" to our wonderful Provider.

Actually, We Need Training

But in all these years, there have been many times I suffer with God's permission or instruction. What is strange and sad, is how quickly we assume a victim status when we are simply being trained.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1:2-5

Is God not our guide? Don't we ask Him for direction and instruction? Don't we yearn to be better people?

If I walk to the store, do I consider the walk "suffering"? Walking is required to reach my destination. If I am late and run to the store, do I tell the cashier, while breathing heavily, how much I have suffered to get to the store?

Ah Yes, Give Me the Good Stuff

James 1.3 says "... you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance"

That word translated perseverance in the NIV is from the Greek "hupomone" and depending on the Bible translation, is translated to other great words: patience, endurance, steadfastness, constancy, and phrases describing this idea.

The translators decided different sparkles of the same diamond. How do I tie these different words into one idea the Holy Spirit can show me?

I think "Don't quit, there is hope". I can stretch my faith to wait even longer than a few minutes or hours, but without losing joy.

Instead of complaining and feeling victimized until the problem is solved, I can choose better.

Don’t Curse Help That is on the Way

I know better because of all the times God has come through for me in the past, but often not right away. If a thousand years is as a day to God, what is one week to God? a millisecond? If God's provision and protection arrive in a millisecond why would I complain about waiting, or even accuse God of not keeping His promises.

The money will come. The problem will be solved or fade in a forgotten memory. The illness will pass, but not old age. When death comes, know God has always promised

" it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment" Hebrews 9:27

But don't forget how much God hates death. He not only heals but considers death an enemy that He Himself will destroy.

The last enemy to be destroyed is death. I Corinthians 15:26

If you can't fix everything in one day or one week, remember it took God six days to create the world. Every single one of your problems will pass. In fact, if you have no problems you know you are already dead.

Ask Anyway, but Thankfully

Yes! Call out to God.

You do not have because you do not ask God. James 4:2b

Just as God has delivered me in the past, He will deliver me today and tomorrow, but I can bless him with a better attitude when "walking to the store" BEFORE GETTING WHAT I WANT, before my problems are solved.

If I can declare my trust to God in confidence, it will please Him. From the core of my heart when asking God for help, I can relax as if God told me "the check is already in the mail to you already".

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. Psalm 34:17

Why Waste Years Complaining?

Why waste time with disobedience and unbelief and complaint and feeling victimized when God says I can walk today in victorious faith while the problem is sitting on my lap? Ha!

That problem is nothing more than a walk to the store. The problem is my journey, not my destination. It is also my opportunity to finally show God I trust Him. Wow.

Of course, anyone can make any little problem a big deal and make sure there is always a reason to complain and accuse God and others. Not me, though.

I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations. Psalm 89:1

Myra and I were in USA (Texas and California) for almost 2 months meeting with family, friends, and clients. It was all wonderful. Now I miss my family more than ever. I missed some weekly devotions, I hope you hung out with God and the Word and will do so during this Christmas season. There is so much more to learn.

Christian Curiosity, Creativity, & Courage

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