What makes you pout?
This week I have been struggling. A friend reminded me that struggling
might just be a nice word for saying, I
have been sinning. I am not sure I have been sinning in my struggle or just tempted to sin. What I do
know is that God is deepening my understanding of complaining.
It reminds me of a time when my daughter was little. If she did
not get her way she would pout. My husband and I would try to distract her from
her naughty anger by saying" Be careful or a bird might land on that big lip
and poop on your chin!"As she got older she understood pouting would not
change our minds. She would joke "but I the Queen!" and I would say
No, you are the princess. I the Queen.
As a parent I really did want my kids to have everything that was
good , but not everything they wanted was good. I believe it is the same with God.
He loves us and wants what is best for
us.
In my complaining there is a part of myself that
wants to been in control of my life, but if God wants what is best for me I should
want His will for my life.
And here I am again, Lord. Working on obedience in my walk with
you. I know I think I am in control sometimes, but you are the King, you are in control of my life. I will try not to pout
or complain. Help me remember I am the daughter of The King. Help me to be like
a Star in your universe. Amen
I realize In order to
do this I must become less and God needs to become more in my life. I like what
our pastor said this Sunday in his message...
It is not that we are sinless, we
are trying to "sin less".
Philippians 2:14-15
New International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
14 Do everything without complaining or
arguing, 15 so
that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a
crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
Philippians 3:7-11
New International Version
1984 (NIV1984)
7 But whatever was to
my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider
everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus
my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I
may gain Christ 9
and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from
the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes
from God and is by faith. 10 I want to know Christ and the power of his
resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him
in his death, 11 and
so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:12-16
New International Version
1984 (NIV1984)
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made
perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took
hold of me. 13 Brothers,
I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do:
Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal
to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And
if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.
16 Only let us live up to
what we have already attained.
Philippians 4:6-9
New International Version
1984 (NIV1984)
6 Do not be anxious
about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving,
present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers,
whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy—think about
such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from
me, or seen in me—put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
