I Want it Now!
Has anyone thrown a temper tantrum lately? Or watch one go down? They happen from time to time, and we are all guilty of losing our cool at certain moments.
Have you watched a child get upset? Maybe it’s the shiny object on the table they can’t have, or the snack it’s not time for. The bath they don’t want to take. The chore they were asked to do. The bedtime they don’t want to adhere to.
Whatever the reason, the little one isn’t happy. There’s going to be a cry, a petition, a fuss, and, for sure, a show of emotion that they most certainly disagree with you. Have you been there? Maybe you’ve been there today and you’re simply so tired. Hang with me, friend.
Each of us is human, and whether we like it or not, we still have learning that needs to be done. It doesn’t matter whether we are young or old; there’s work to be done. Much like a small child, when we don’t get our way, we are prone to the ever-so-famous tantrum. It happens to the best of us.
Maybe it’s the coffee you ordered that wasn’t made right. The outfit didn’t fit the way you were hoping. The package out for delivery didn’t come. There are a million reasons we can get frustrated. None are necessarily bad in and of themselves; rather, it’s our response to the inconvenience.
It’s hard when we don’t get what we think we deserve. When we have to wait on what seems like something so good, it’s easy to question God, like, “What is the deal?” It’s hard to understand what seems like a delay in our plans. Waiting for things like the job to come through, the pregnancy to happen, the right man or woman to come into your life, or the money for your monthly bills to come through are all big things. Life-changing things. I get it, those seem more of a bigger deal than an outfit, coffee, or a candy bar at the local grocery check-out counter. It’s still hard to wait and/or be calm and collected in the middle of a complete derailment of your plans.
Waiting for guidance from God is also hard. Those big decisions are painful. It’s hard to be patient while still extending kindness to others and ourselves. It’s in those moments that we are tempted to take matters into our own hands and try to solve our own problems. That’s where it gets messy.
Isaiah 30:18-21
So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. He will be gracious if you ask for help. He will surely respond to the sound of your cries.
Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and suffering for drink, he will still be with you to teach you. You will see your teacher with your own eyes.
Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you, a voice will say, “This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left.
Isaiah was blunt in his warning to the people. He pretty much said to stop trying to mess with God’s plans. It’s what we do. We try to essentially mess up what God has in mind for us. Taking matters into our own hands. Like worry, it may take up some time, but it isn’t going to propel us anywhere or benefit us in the long run. It makes us feel like we are doing something in the temporary, but we don’t know the future like God does. So what do we do instead?
God is faithful. He is not too busy for you. He cares deeply about you and all that is on your mind and heart right now. God is always willing to guide and direct us along the way, but we must follow His leading. Next time you’re getting frustrated with the way things are panning out, talk to God. Open His Word. Express your concerns and listen for Him to speak to you or gently nudge you in the next right step. He’s not going to leave you hanging. I know you want it so bad right now, but He’s working on it. There’s good coming.
