Look to the Book

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you knew if it weren’t for all the bad luck you were having you wouldn’t be having any luck at all? We all go through times of trial and attacks. Some would say as Christians we should be able to cope without resorting to complaining, but we’re human, not perfect. I’ve been walking with God for a few decades and I’m ashamed to admit how skilled I am in the art of whining and complaining.

The Israelites got themselves in a whole mess of trouble for whining and complaining. So much trouble that God let them wander in the desert for 40 years, when in reality the trip to the Promised Land should only have taken 11 days.

These were people that had the benefit of clear cut direction from God day and night with clouds during the day and fire at night. How many of us today wouldn’t love that kind of direction from God! Even though they saw God do repeated miracles they still grumbled and complained.

When the urge to complain hits us, we have to go back to basics. The Bible says we WILL have trials here on this Earth but to take heart because God has overcome the world. (John 16:33).

When we are under attack it almost sounds too easy to simply suggest prayer or reading the Bible. Suffering demands an instant fix and many discount the relevance of prayer or the Bible for 21st century trials.

I find answers when I open the pages and read encouraging passages on my favorite dog-eared pages. When I get in a real pickle, I have to remind God of His Word by reading passages out loud to Him that are relevant to my situation – just in case He’s forgotten what’s written in The Book.

Sure, it would be nice to have clouds and pillars of fire, but we’ve got something the Israelites didn’t have … we’ve got Jesus and we’ve got the written Word of God, God’s instruction manual for life.

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy Kurlin
Author
www.kathleenkurlin.com