Sometimes it is just good to slow down and take God’s word apart a little.  Here we see someone who KNEW GOD, yet they were futile in their thinking, described as “foolish” and had dark hearts. How can this be? How can those who know God find themselves in this state? The answer is clear, they did not glorify Him as God, and they were unthankful.

Every day we find ourselves faced with circumstances that place us at the intersection of choosing to be thankful or to complain. When we choose praise and thanks, the Holy spirit is right there to usher us into light, bringing revelation, joy, and peace. But if we choose complaining, the enemy is equally ready and waiting to lead us down the path of discouragement and frustration. God inhabits the praises of His people and He calls us to be in the light as He is in the light.

Choose this day whom you will serve! Come into the light through thankfulness and praise, and the glorious King will meet with you there, and reveal what you need to have victory in your circumstance.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4

How can we pray for you today?

“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:3)

That’s not fair, it really isn’t.  With wrinkled tissue in hand, we stomp our feet in frustration. We had asked, prayed and pleaded. But, to our utter disappointment, God still said “no.”

Have you been there? God didn’t smile at us with the answer we wanted. But that’s not the worst. We look around and what do we see? We see those who don’t follow God’s instructions. Don’t know God’s Word…not even attend church. But, they seemingly live happy, trouble-free lives.

“What’s with that, God?” we want to ask.

Confusion adds to the sense of injustice. But not to worry. We don’t have to know how to express that bewilderment. David did that for us:

I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for!” (Psalm 73:2-7 The Message).

Like David, I don’t let up my rant. This is not the way it should be. Why do they have it so good? Lord, after all, I’m not a bad chica. I really deserve better. But “[t]hen I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever” (Psalm 73:21-26).

Father, thank you, in your loving way, you set me straight. I will trust in your ways, look to your justice, count on your healing and expect your glorious solutions. You are fair with your love that extends to those who call upon you. In Jesus name. Amen

Questions: Whom do you desire more than God? When looking at your difficult situation, is He enough? What brings you out of despair?

Do you struggle to be honest with God about how you feel? Can we pray for you today?

“Let us draw near to God, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22)

One of my favorite authors, Madeleine L’Engle wrote a telling poem,

Dear God,

I hate you.

Love, Madeleine

To some Christians this poem would seem blasphemous. I encounter something different. In the midst of immense disappointment, anger, frustration, and disinterest I find love. Underlying Madeleine’s relationship with God is love. Love moves her towards God, not away. Human nature tells us to run away from the reality of feelings, but Christ encourages us to embrace them allowing their grip to move us towards Him.

The Bible tells the story of two sisters.  Swiftly one moves towards the kitchen with another batch of hospitality as she over hears her sister just sitting with their guest. Dare to peek inside her head and you’ll find…anger, resentment, and disgust at her own sister and this man in her house. Tensions flare. And then she opens her mouth,

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40)

Anger arose and opened its mouth. Now what? Will He rebuke and leave her? He draws her near with His response.

 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41)

This passage often used to highlight Mary’s nobleness, overlooks the powerful interface between an honest, angry woman with the definition of love, Jesus. Just like Madeleine, Martha, discovered that emotions can’t overtake the foundation of love. Rather, they’re often used to reel us into a deeper, abiding relationship with Him.

It’s not often preached from the pulpit, but God desires honesty that builds intimacy.  Madeleine and Martha challenged God and proved Him right. Moving towards Him is never wrong.  Unpackaged feelings can be handled and trusted  in His care. Dare to share and discover He is still there beckoning an abundant relationship based on His unconditional love. And with that, I’m off to write my own “Dear God” note as I desire to experience oneness with Him.

“Let us draw near to God, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22)

Questions: Do you have unresolved anger and resentment towards someone? Ask the Lord if there is any unresolved anger you hold towards Him.

“Guard my life and rescue me;
do not let me be put to shame,
for I take refuge in you.
May integrity and uprightness protect me,
because my hope, LORD, is in you.” (Psalm 25:20-21)

What are we to think when God withholds His answer to a prayer? Most likely, you’ve wondered this yourself at some point. As creatures bound by time, we can find those ticking seconds very frustrating!

God doesn’t see us simply in the here and now. He perceives the entire big picture at once – where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. And He knows the exact impact on our lives of every little decision, action, or blessing.

Does God want to bring something into your life that would absolutely destroy you? Of course not! He knows what may be a tremendous blessing later could completely wreck your life now. For this reason, He often pauses to give you time to prepare for that blessing.

Learning to patiently wait on God is difficult. Doing so successfully demands at least three things from us. First, we must be sensitive to Him. That is, we must nurture our relationship with the Father so we can hear Him when He tells us to wait. Second, we must trust His judgment. Does God know more than we do? Of course. Then doesn’t it make sense to trust Him? Last, we must be obedient. If we try to accomplish something alone after God tells us to wait, then we’re headed for disaster. God blesses obedience, even obedient waiting.

The Lord doesn’t operate in a vacuum. He works within His relationship with you. Never forget He is actively walking with you, even when He withholds an answer to your prayer. It doesn’t mean He’s not there; it simply means He’s looking out for you even more.

Question: What have you been waiting on God about? Which other historical biblical figures also were required to wait on God?

“Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

We have a small garden in our yard. In the busyness of life, our garden is often neglected. When it really starts to look bad, I am motivated to do some weeding. Some weeds are easy to pull, but others resist because their roots are strong and deep into the soil. The longer the time between weeding the more difficult the task will be.

My heart is like our garden, sometimes neglected for long periods of time. Weeds of anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, critical attitudes, worry and guilt are allowed to grow to the point that the garden of my heart is in bad shape! The solution? God’s Spirit, as the Divine Gardener of my heart has to deal with my neglect.

Today, allow God to do the needed weeding in your heart.  Ask Him to reveal the weeds that are growing by confessing sin and being honest with Him about the state of your heart.  Thank Him for his forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross. He already knows how rooted some sin has become. Ask God to direct and empower you for a fruitful life through His Spirit. Some weeds will be uprooted easily; others will require daily attention in order to make the deep roots are removed and ensure they don’t grow back.

Solomon in all his wisdom said, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Question: How does a person “guard [his] heart”?

Have you been neglected your heart? Take our study to get the weeds out.

“Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

We have a small garden in our yard. In the busyness of life, our garden is often neglected. When it really starts to look bad, I am motivated to do some weeding. Some weeds are easy to pull, but others resist because their roots are strong and deep into the soil. The longer the time between weeding the more difficult the task will be.

My heart is like our garden, sometimes neglected for long periods of time. Weeds of anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, critical attitudes, worry and guilt are allowed to grow to the point that the garden of my heart is in bad shape! The solution? God’s Spirit, as the Divine Gardener of my heart has to deal with my neglect.

Today, allow God to do the needed weeding in your heart.  Ask Him to reveal the weeds that are growing by confessing sin and being honest with Him about the state of your heart.  Thank Him for his forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross. He already knows how rooted some sin has become. Ask God to direct and empower you for a fruitful life through His Spirit. Some weeds will be uprooted easily; others will require daily attention in order to make the deep roots are removed and ensure they don’t grow back.

Solomon in all his wisdom said, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Questions: As we are negligent in caring for our heart, what weeds begin to grow there? How can those weeds be removed from our heart?

Related:
What Is Your Destiny? 

Are you tired of living a defeated Christian life? Learn how you can find significance.

“Good teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

“If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”

The young man said to Him “All these I have done from my youth. What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven and come, follow Me.” (taken from Matthew 19:16-212, NKJV)

Are we “doing the commandments” or are we following Jesus? The difference between the two is the carnal mindset verses the surrendered Spirit-filled life. The carnal mind practices religion, knowing the rules and doing “all the right things.” The Spirit-filled life is a relationship with Jesus that knows His heart and His voice and lives in His presence and will, moment to moment.

When we are living in a carnal mindset, we can experience a lot of frustration, lack of fulfillment, difficulty in reading, enjoying, and understanding the Word, inconsistent prayer life, unanswered prayer, broken relationships, fear, discouragement, and a lack of the fruit of the spirit.

The experience of the Spirit-filled Christian is peace, joy, a love for and desire to spend time in His Word. It is a rich prayer life that brings results, faith, boldness, healthy relationships, and the ability to know His presence and recognize His voice in the Word, in nature, through others, or the still small voice in your spirit.

“If anyone serves me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor” (John 12:26 NKJV).

Living the Spirit-filled life is a decision we make each day. Ask yourself the question, “Can I honestly say that today I have done what God has asked of me?” If you have responded with repentance in the areas that He has convicted you of sin, stepped up and done the good works that He has put before you, and if your heart is to seek first His kingdom, then you are practicing walking in His will and His Spirit.

Lord, I surrender myself and my plans to you today, convict and forgive me of any sin that hinders me from hearing your voice and knowing your direction. Fill me up with your Holy Spirit that I can live this day engaged with you, knowing Your presence, and being Your hands and feet to the people around me.  Amen.

Questions: Can you honestly say that today you have done what God has asked of you? What is the result of a Spirit-filled life?

What will your hands be busy with today? Do you feel grateful for the tasks at hand? Is there joy in doing what’s on your list today?

Many of us just hurry from one thing to the next.  Delays frustrate us and people who aren’t directly related to our tasks can annoy us with their interruptions.

Pause in your thoughts for this one moment. Thank God for the work ahead of you today in spite of what you would rather be doing.

You will be amazed at the change in your outlook as you focus on being thankful.

You are where you are today… that’s a reality. You can make choices to change that reality. The first choice is to choose a grateful attitude. It will widen the road you are on and bring a perspective that will lighten your step.

The prayer of the Psalmist is a good prayer to echo today, “Establish the work of my hands, O Lord, establish the work of my hands.” (Psalm 90:17)

Heavenly Father, Right now I want to offer the work of my hands to You today. Help me to have a grateful attitude as I do what is in front of me today. May I give these tasks to You as my offering. I do them in Your name. Amen.

Inspired by “The Rest of God” Chapter 1 by Mark Buchanan

Question: What will your hands be busy with today?

About this Author: Gail Rodgers

Struggling in your marriage? Do you feel angry at God?  Talk to a mentor.

I witnessed a small child’s angst in a very public place. We all have at one time or another, right? Maybe with our own kids.

Something in this child, maybe hunger or tiredness or frustration, triggered it to stomp its tiny foot, sit down in the middle of the aisle and scream “NO!” The ear-piercing tears began. No coaxing would work. Attempts to get the child up only made it scream louder. The mom knelt down and waited to get a word in edgewise. She focused solely on her child, not the reactions of others around her.  She let her little one scream it out, then as the sobs subsided, she took control back.

I admit it. Lately I have been prone to spiritual two-year old tantrums.  Try as I might to squelch them, they bubble up inside of me. It is one of those “Why does it have to be this way?” and “Why does it have to be so hard?” times in several areas of my life.

But I have learned that God doesn’t ignore my silent tantrums (silent to the rest of the world, at least) that scream so loud deep inside me. He whispers through them into my heart. He has brought people to me with words of conviction, not patronizing platitudes.  He has opened Scripture to my mind, like this one today. Like that mother with the screaming toddler, God stays focused on me, waiting for me to calm down and take a breath so He can get a word in edgewise and take control again.

God does answer us in the way He knows we need. We just may not always be listening because we are so caught up in the moment of being, well, human beings with hurts, faults and anxieties.  Sometimes, tantrums almost seem comfortable, as non-productive as they are. They are excuses for not moving forward. Exhausted, frustrated, or angry, we just do not want to budge any further. We plop ourselves down, arms crossed and refuse to move another step, just like that toddler exhibiting newly found self will.

But our Heavenly Father is patient and slow to anger. He stays right there waiting for us to get it out of our system, calm back down and listen to reasoning. Only then can His Word come to life for us, words that pick us up, dry our tears and encourage us to move forward again, holding onto Daddy’s hand.

“Let my cry come before you,
O Lord; give me understanding according to your word!
Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word” (vv 169-170).

Question: Do you ever feel like screaming at God? Do you think it is Okay to do that?

About the Author Julie Cosgrove