My inner “whiner” wants to be heard this morning. “I want writing
to be easier.” “I want to eat a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.” “I want the weather to cool off.” Do you have an
inner “whiner”, too? Don’t we all want life to be easier than it is? As a
therapist, though, I was most concerned about the clients whose refrain was “It’s
easier to….” It’s easier to avoid my
parents. It’s easier to eat. It’s easier to sleep. It’s easier to keep that
emotional closet closed. But the easy way is not God’s way.
God’s way is confession, confrontation, and doing what we
know to be right, even when we don’t feel like it. God’s way is truth in the
innermost parts. (Psalm 51:6) God’s way is struggling against spiritual attack.
(Ephesians 6) God’s way is obedience. (Romans 6:16)
Why is God’s way so hard? Only God knows. I have decided to
believe his way is worth what it costs. I trust that when we walk through
heaven’s gates, we will be glad for every time we chose God’s way over our own
way.
I sure do want 80 degrees, though. Hey, it’s not just for me—it’s
for my husband and everybody else who has to work outside in 95 degrees today. Maybe
altruistic whining is okay?
God, those of us suffering in the heat do need your mercy. We
also need your strength to walk in your way.