Opus 2011-232, Christian Cliches: Why Me, Lord, Part VI

How should we respond to calamity.  Start with the assumption that whining and complaining are not the answer.

Ask for relief.  There is nothing wrong with being honest with God.  Let me share a little secret:  I have yelled at God.  That is the bad news.  The good news is He didn’t strike me down.  Instead, He seemed to respond with, “Okay.  Now you have that off your chest.  Are you ready to talk?”

Be honest with God about your feelings.  Remember Jesus in the Garden.  He was in agony just thinking about what was to come.  You think you have problems, imagine being the One who was without sin and becoming sin on our behalf.  What did Jesus pray?

(Luke 22:42-4 KJV)  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

Notice that Jesus asked for a rain check.  He would have loved to move to plan B, but the key was His spirit of obedience.

Or consider Paul and his thorn in the flesh. 

(2 Corinthians 12:7-9 KJV)  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

It is acceptable to ask but required to obey.

Ultimately you might have only one hope:  Repentance and change.  Or is that two hopes?  Whatever.  Going back to the OT for an example:

(Exodus 23:25 KJV)  And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.

Is there sin in your life?  Are you being disobedient?  Are you like Jonah, running in the opposite direction?  Then either enjoy the suffering or begin the repenting.

Are you young enough to have heard the old song “Trust and obey”?  It is still the best advice.  It doesn’t matter is life gives you spaghetti and meat sauce or liver and onions.  Trust and obey.

homo unius libri