As I begin to share more about Directive #2 "Pray -Don't Pout," I would like to ask you a question.
How often in life do things not go as we had hoped they would go? How often do our plans not turn out the way we would have liked? And is it possible that sometimes, even when things don't turn out as we had hoped they would, something better, could be in store if we will just be patient and maintain the right attitude, heart, and behavior.
In our story, our lead character and CEO Roger, was experiencing many difficult challenges and problems. His business was struggling more than he cared to admit, his marriage was on the brink of ruin, and his relationship with his children had much to be desired.
It would have been really easy, and in fact, understandable, if he would have just withdrawn from all of his challenges and problems, and gone into hiding.
Fortunately for Roger, Janitor Bob had entered his life. Bob taught Roger the importance of maintaining the right attitude and approach to life even when things were not going well.
The Bible teaches us the importance of taking our problems, worries, fears, doubts, anxieties, challenges, and opportunities to him in prayer.
I know that in my own life far too many times I get caught up in my circumstances. And like Roger, I tend to pout.
Let me explain a little more about what I mean when I use the word pout. It means I complain a lot about my circumstances. It means I carry an attitude of discouragement. When I pout I try to take matters into my own hands, and I do not trust God to handle my affairs for me.
Far too many times, like the disciples of Jesus in the Bible I am a man "of little faith."
Too often I fail in my trusting that God has a plan at work.
I sometimes think that because things are hard, painful, or difficult, that God is not in control.
Let me share a story from my own personal life as a father. Not long ago I took my young son into the doctor. He was about two years old. It was time for him to receive his immunization shots. I remember him looking into my eyes and crying as the doctor began to stick him with a needle. His eyes were telling me a story as they field with tears. They were begging and pleading "Daddy please don't let them do this to me! Why are you letting them hurt me, daddy?"
You see, I understood something that my son did not. That this temporary moment of pain and discomfort would only strengthen his body to fight off future disease and illness. That I must allow him to experience a difficult situation and set of circumstances in to provide him with long-term health.
In other words, I knew what was best for my son.
And so it is in our lives and our relationship with God. So often it is easy for us to question God and to ask him "Why are you letting them do this to me?" Which of course this was the same question my son was asking me as he lay on the doctor's table receiving a shots.
God clearly understands that if we will allow Him to work in our lives, and in the midst of our difficult situations and circumstances, those things will work just like the doctor's needle for my son. They will bring about a strengthening and a healing that would be impossible had we not gone through, the moment of pain and suffering.
So in our story Janitor Bob instructs Roger of the importance of maintaining the right perspective in the midst of his problems.
He reminds Roger of the importance and the truth that God has a plan. Even when we do not see what it is, or how he can work in the midst of some very difficult circumstances.
Roger was pouting because his business was failing in many regards, he was failing at home as a husband and as a father, and in general he really did not have a sense of purpose or direction for his life.
He saw no way out. He had no hope. He had no vision of how things could end up better. He was frustrated because his largest customer was making his life difficult, and was preventing his company from moving forward with new opportunities and direction.
We might say he was to some degree depressed, and if not depressed certainly greatly discouraged.
So my friends, let me ask you, what is it that you are going through right now? What great plans have you made that now seem to be falling apart? What hopes have you felt for years, but now seem as if they've all faded away? What opportunities or possibilities, have you held onto believing that someday, and when they occurred life would be better for you?
Let me encourage and remind you, just as Bob did for Roger, to pray and do not pout.
The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11 that God has a plan for you, and in that plan. He wants to prosper you and not harm you. He has plans for you to have a bright and hopeful future, not one of despair in discouragement.
Let me once again, state the importance of trusting God even when we do not see his plan or understand what he's wanting to do in and through our lives and circumstances.
Pray-do not pout!
Trust- do not fear!
Hold steady- do not waver!
Be strong and courageous- do not worry!
Go to God- Place your confidence in him-and do not focus on your circumstances.
