Gabriel was ready to get out of his floaty at the pool the other day. He's 14 months old.
He said "up?"
I said, "No, baby. I'm not going to get you just yet."
He didn't like that. He through himself back and hit at me.
"Well, that doesn't really make me want to get you," I said.
Of course, when I saw how badly he wanted out, I did get him.
Our sin nature
, we think, will get us what we want
, but it turns out to have the opposite effect. Well, Gabriel probably didn't think "if I hit her, she'll get me." He just felt rejected, which hurt him, so in his own little depravity his conclusion was to hurt back. Then, hurting
back would be the very thing that would prevent him from getting what he wanted.
, we think, will get us what we want, but it turns out to have the opposite effect. Well, Gabriel probably didn't think "if I hit her, she'll get me." He just felt rejected, which hurt him, so in his own little depravity his conclusion was to hurt back. Then, hurting back would be the very thing that would prevent him from getting what he wanted.This is often a result of two things: Not expressing, or not having the ability to express
, our feelings
in a direct and healthy way, so they come out sideways or aggressively
, or fester into bitterness
. And taking matters into our own hands
instead of waiting on God
for the desired results.
, our feelings in a direct and healthy way, so they come out sideways or aggressively, or fester into bitterness. And taking matters into our own hands instead of waiting on God for the desired results.We do this all the time without knowing we are pushing ourselves further away from what we hope for.
wanting 
and attention from his wife 
on her.A teenager
ready for more responsibilities sneaks out of the house.
ready for more responsibilities sneaks out of the house.A wife
needing her husband
to step up into leadership of the family
criticizes
everything he does.
needing her husband to step up into leadership of the family criticizes everything he does.A mom sick of listening to her bickering children
speaks to them in rudeness
and anger
.
speaks to them in rudeness and anger.Abraham
was told he would be the father of many nations, even though he had no children of his own. Sarah, in Genesis 16-18, decided God
was taking too long, and gave her servant to Abraham to have a son. He did, and Sarah was furious, and really, hurt. When she was told she would still have a son, by God 
Himself nonetheless, she didn't believe
.
was told he would be the father of many nations, even though he had no children of his own. Sarah, in Genesis 16-18, decided God was taking too long, and gave her servant to Abraham to have a son. He did, and Sarah was furious, and really, hurt. When she was told she would still have a son, by God Himself nonetheless, she didn't believe. 
. "Is anything too hard for the 
?" (Gen. 18:14)How often we shoot ourselves in the foot by either reacting in hurt, or in fear taking control. We are much better off waiting on God
, asking for guidance and strength in the mean time.
, asking for guidance and strength in the mean time."Trust
in the Lord with all your heart
, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)
in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." (Prov. 3:5-6)MEDITATE ON IT
What area of your life are you taking control
and it is not going so well?
and it is not going so well?How do you lash out in pain preventing the results you most desire?
How could both of these areas be different if you waited on God to provide? What's stopping you?
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father God, we are so quick to doubt You and Your work in our lives. We think we need to take matters into our own hands. We forget that You are sovereign and in control
. We forget Your mighty powers, that with Your voice alone the universe was created. Father, forgive
us. Show us Your wonders. Strengthen us as we wait on You to do Your work. Draw us close to You. Teach us how to entrust the lives of those we love into Your care.
. We forget Your mighty powers, that with Your voice alone the universe was created. Father, forgive us. Show us Your wonders. Strengthen us as we wait on You to do Your work. Draw us close to You. Teach us how to entrust the lives of those we love into Your care. LIVE IN IT
"But those who wait
on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)
on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31)"Be still before the LORD and wait
patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil." (Psalm 37:7-8)
patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil." (Psalm 37:7-8)"Wait
on the LORD; Be of good courage
, and He shall strengthen your heart
; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14)
on the LORD; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!" (Psalm 27:14)