February 17, 2020

It’s Okay to Rest

But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”

– 1 Kings 19:5b

Sometimes we just need to rest. We’re so busy doing life, serving the LORD, taking care of the endless demands of others, that we find ourselves empty, frustrated, angry.

Have you been there? Are you there now? It seems as though this season will never end. We can’t see God so we try harder, pray longer, serve better. And, yet, all it seems to do is increase both our anxiety and our fatigue.

God invites us to rest. The world may try to insist that we remain on the treadmill but God says we can take a break. God says we can come to Him for nourishment and strength.

Elijah had done everything God asked of him. He’d stood firm in his faith. He’d prayed for rain and it came. Elijah was God’s servant and because he obeyed, others saw God’s mighty power.

And then, after it was all over, Jezebel vows to have Elijah killed and he just fell apart. He was done. He wanted to die. Aren’t we like that sometimes? We’ve stood strong and then that one more thing, that one more comment, that one more demand sends us over the edge and we are done.

Take a moment. Sleep. Eat. Pray. Meditate on God’s Word. You don’t have to be a superhero, no matter what the world tells you. You can say no to the endless demands. You can retreat into the safety of God’s arms.

God created us to do amazing things. But, as our Creator, God knows just how fragile and frail we really are. Today if you find yourself overwhelmed, turn toward God. He is your strength and your life source. With Him you will find nourishment. The journey ahead is filled with challenges. Recharge yourself – then move forward into your calling.

June 6, 2018

Clothe Yourself in Kindness

The angel of the LORD came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:7

Kate Spade died yesterday of an apparent suicide. It was the lead story on the news. Everyone – meaning those acquaintances who thought they knew her – seem shocked. How could this vibrant, colorful and talented woman be in such despair that she would take her own life?

Those closest to her say they saw the signs. Did they push for her to get medical help? Did she refuse? What were the circumstances that led her to this? We want to know all the juicy details. It is none of our business. None of that will change what happened or in any way comfort her family and close friends.

God tells us that if give bad things to Him, He will turn them to good. Will we do that in this situation? Will we look around us and see beyond the veneer of the people closest to us? Will we extend kindness and compassion to everyone? Will we stop boxing people in and realize that everyone hurts and cries and feels sad sometimes?

We have become such a fake people. It’s all about appearances. We really don’t want to know the bad stuff, unless it’s juicy enough for a gossip fest. We don’t want to be bothered with hurting people. We’ve got our own issues. We just want people to be who we expect them to be and save the bad feelings for some other time. So we end up with struggling people who keep it all inside.

The National Center for Health Statistics says that from 1999 through 2014, the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States increased 24 percent, from 10.5 to 13.0 per 100,000 population, with the pace of increase greater after 2006.

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that in 2016 an estimated 16.2 million adults in the United States had at least one major depressive episode. This number represented 6.7 percent of all U.S. Adults. And, I might add, those were only the depressive episodes that were reported.

And we wonder why violence is on the rise. All that unhappiness has to go somewhere. If it doesn’t have an acceptable outlet, such as therapy, it will find another way to express itself. Is it okay? Absolutely not! But what are we going to do about it?

There is no quick fix when it comes to depression, suicide, bi-polar disorder and any number of other mental illnesses. That’s what they are: Illnesses. Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean they aren’t real. They are debilitating. They can attack the strongest people, those who seemingly have everything anyone could want.

Despite what you may hear or read, there aren’t any quick fixes. Depression can come from biology. Did you know that? Serotonin levels, for example. Does exercise help? Yes. Does eating healthy help? Yes. Will spending time with God help? Yes. Will any of those things bring immediate relief? No. Unless, of course, God chooses to provide a miracle.

There’s a Facebook thing that gets passed around periodically. It reminds us that we don’t know what another person is going through so just be kind to everyone. It sounds so simple, doesn’t it? Why, then, is it so hard?

People are hurting out there folks. Love them. Just love them. Stop judging and pointing fingers and pronouncing curses on them because you don’t agree with their lifestyles or their political views or whatever it is you have a problem with. Just love them. That’s what Jesus would do. It’s what He told us to do. So just do it.

March 29, 2016

Ask God For Good Things

At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.” -- 1 Kings 3:5

What would you like from God? The Bible tells us to ask for anything and, if it is in His will, you’ll get it. But what does that mean? And how should we respond?

First, the Bible tells us that God wants to bless us with good things. Whatever we ask for, God will surely give it to us -- if it’s good for us.

How do we know what a good thing is? By seeking His will in all things. By reading His Word. By praying -- and taking time to hear His voice. By spending time with God we get to know Him, we open our hearts to the Holy Spirit, who leads us to ask for good things.

When we aren’t focused on God, when we focus on ourselves and the things of this world, we sometimes ask for bad things. We humans can be pretty fickle. We depend a lot on our emotions. Yard sales are filled with things that someone “had to have.” We joke about kids who get a toy and a few hours later they’ve lost interest in it. Adults are pretty much the same. We get a new gadget, figure it out, use it a few times, and we’re done.

Have you ever asked God for something, had him say no, pouted a while, then realized later you were so grateful He said no because it wasn’t really what you wanted after all? Yeah. Me too. God really does know what is best for us.

It doesn’t mean we can’t be persistent. Remember the parable Jesus told in Luke 18? The widow was so persistent that the judge granted her justice. We can be persistent too. Keep asking until God tells you not to. He’ll answer you either by granting your request or giving you something so much better.

Sometimes prayers are answered in the most unexpected ways. I’ve learned that I can’t predict much of anything. That’s hard for a planner like me. But it has strengthened my walk of faith. I don’t have to know the way. God does. I just have to focus on following Him.

Do you remember what Solomon asked God for? Wisdom to govern God’s people. God responded by giving him wisdom -- and wealth and honor. God gave Solomon so much more than what he’d asked for because Solomon asked for something good that would bring glory to God. He’ll do the same for me and you.

March 18, 2016

God Cares For The Depressed

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” 5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” 6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
7 The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” 8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb the mountain of God. -- 1 Kings 19:3-8


Are depressed people self-centered and selfish? That question came up in conversation the other day. It’s a touchy topic and one with intense ramifications if it is judged wrongly.

The short answer: Most depressed people are not self-centered or selfish. There are some, I’m sure, who use depression to manipulate others and focus attention on themselves. I’ve rarely met one but it is possible.

Most depressed people are living in a black hole. That’s why they can’t see anyone but themselves. Think about it like this: When the power goes out and everything is pitch black around you, what do you see? Nothing. That’s how it is for someone suffering from depression.

There are many causes of depression. Some cases are caused by events and some are caused by physical issues, such as low serotonin. It is frequently a combination of things and sometimes takes many doctors and therapists working together with the patient to unravel what is really going on.

I get so upset when someone assumes the person can just “get over it” because that just isn’t true. Nor does depression indicate a lack of faith. Depression is an illness, just like heart disease or diabetes. And it can kill. Never, ever brush that fact aside. When someone talks about suicide, take it seriously. They’ve likely decided that those they love will be better off without them.

This passage of Scripture always reminds me of how God cares for people who are so weary that they have given up. God would never brush someone aside or tell them to just “get over it.” God cares for His children. So should we.

I hope you never suffer from depression. I also hope you never have a loved one with this dreaded disease. In some ways, I think that is even worse. But know that God walks with us on this journey. When depression hits, He is there.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Stay Focused On God’s Will

Then Absalom would say, “You’ve really got a strong case here! It’s too bad the king doesn’t have anyone to hear it. I wish I were the judge. Then people could bring their problems to me, and I would give them justice!”

-- 2 Samuel 15:3-4

Absalom had already killed his brother. King David forgave his son and allowed him to return home. But Absalom just couldn’t let go of his bitterness and anger at his father. So Absalom decided to turn the people away from David and gain support for his plan to take the throne away from him.

Absalom couldn’t see beyond his own selfish desires and his father couldn’t or wouldn’t get his son under control. It was a bad situation that could only end with Absalom’s death. David was God’s anointed. Absalom was going to get rid of him.

Maybe David couldn’t have changed the outcome. Some people are determined to have what someone else has. Some people are determined to blame others for their own issues.

Years ago I worked for a marketing company. I traveled quite a bit but I wasn’t in charge. I liked it that way. I’d burned out in a high-pressured position at another company and I just wanted and needed a breather. I was pretty clear about that. Still, the company kept giving me more responsibility and pushing me to accept a higher position.

One of my co-workers took that quite personally. She had a Masters degree in film and dreamed of, well, I don’t really know. But something more than what she was. She decided I was a threat to her dream and she did everything she could to turn others against me. It didn’t work. She didn’t fool anyone and only hurt herself. It was just so silly and so sad.

King Jeroboam was very angry with the man of God for speaking against the altar. So he pointed at the man and shouted, “Seize that man!” But instantly the king’s hand became paralyzed in that position, and he couldn’t pull it back.” -- 1 Kings 13:4

Just like with my co-worker, people who try to harm others frequently have the situation turn against them. I’ve learned a lot about trusting God in those times. If God calls you to do something, no one can undermine or threaten you no matter how hard they try. God is in charge. Of course, the opposite is true as well. You will do what God calls you to do, whether you want to or not. You can ask Jonah about that.

So don’t worry about it when someone tries to turn your life upside-down. If you’re doing what God wants you to do, they don’t stand a chance.
　

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Be Generous With Praise

“Now please command that cedars from Lebanon be cut for me. Let my men work alongside yours, and I will pay your men whatever wages you ask. As you know, there is no one among us who can cut timber like you Sidonians!” -- (King Solomon to King Hiram of Tyre) -- 1 Kings 5:6

When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he was very pleased and said, “Praise the LORD for giving David a wise son to be king of the great nation of Israel.” -- 1 Kings 5:7

Isn’t it amazing how smart other people think we are when we are praising them or doing what they want? Solomon was wise. He wanted the best for the temple of the LORD. In this case, that was cedars from Lebanon.

It was no wonder that Hiram thought Solomon was smart. Solomon praised the king and his people. Maybe it was true. Who knows. But it worked and Solomon got what he wanted.

What about you? Have you ever been tempted to praise someone to get what you want? You’ve probably heard people talk about using honey rather than vinegar when making a request. It does make a difference. Praise makes people want to help you.

I know a man who has a reputation for being a really difficult boss. He’s a wonderful man. He can be kind and generous. Sometimes he gets taken advantage of because he wants to do good things for people. He can also be demanding and difficult, expecting perfection and refusing to hear any excuses. He can be completely unreasonable in his demands. He’s gone through four managers in five years. People leave because the stress of working for him outweighs the overall goodness of his character.

I wonder sometimes what would happen if he were as generous with praise as he is with criticism. People respond to sincere praise. Notice that word “sincere.” Most people can spot fake praise. I once had a professor who said she always found one good thing in every paper her students turned in. Sometimes it was difficult to find but she kept at it until she could offer a sincere compliment. That compliment would give the student hope and belief that he/she could do better next time.

People will work hard to earn praise. Consider yourself. Won’t you put in extra effort to do a project if you know that people will recognize and reward your achievement? I know we shouldn’t need praise or encouragement but we are human and we do.

And while we love to get praise, it’s important to give it to. Not only does praise help the other person, praise also helps us appreciate what others do for us. It could be a special breakfast. Or help with a project. Or a ride to the ballgame. Whatever it is, take time to sincerely thank the person who did something nice for you.

Solomon was wise in many ways. He understood that praise benefits everyone. Give it a try. Look around and appreciate all that others do for you -- and tell them that you do.

　

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Seek God’s Wisdom

God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge too vast to be measured. -- 1 Kings 4:29

The LORD had clearly instructed his people not to intermarry with those nations, because the women they married would lead them to worship their gods. Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. He had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. And sure enough, they led his heart away from the LORD. -- 1 Kings 11:2-3

Solomon was smart. Everyone knew it, including Solomon. He could solve problems and govern his people -- God’s people -- with great wisdom and understanding. Too bad he didn’t apply some of that wisdom to his personal life.

Isn’t that always how it seems to go? Someone who is incredibly smart and gifted in one area, really messes up in another area. Solomon loved women. All women. Foreign women. Women who worshipped idols. Women who were just so bad for him.

It’s sort of like people we know. A person can be wonderful, upstanding even, and just can’t seem to refrain from committing adultery or drinking too much or embellishing the truth or, well, you get the point. There’s always a thorn that helps us remember we are imperfect people.

Solomon probably believed that because he was so wise and so determined to follow God, that these women couldn’t possibly lead him astray. We’ve heard that excuse before. Someone truly believes he/she can hang around people who aren’t Christians and not be influenced by activities that go against God and the Bible. It never works. It didn’t work for Solomon and it won’t work for us.

God understands that. It’s why He warned Solomon and others to stay away from foreign women. When God says no to something, it’s always for our own good. Solomon, in his great wisdom, ignored God’s orders and went his own way. At great cost, I might add.

It’s tempting to walk our own path through this life. It’s sort of like a small child who says, “I can do it all by myself,” as he attempts a new task. Of course, he really needs his parents’ help. Just like we need God’s help on our life path.

God has given us plenty of wisdom. He has given us His Word in the Bible. God gives us pastors and godly friends to guide us. God has sent the Holy Spirit to speak to us from within. And God has given us a mind to reason and embrace all these things. It’s up to us to use them to understand His will and follow His lead. Seek God’s wisdom first, then follow where He leads.

Friday, July 29, 2011

God Provides Rest

Then he went on alone into the desert, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” -- 1 Kings 19:4

Elijah was done. He’d managed -- with God’s help -- to get rid of 450 of Baal’s prophets. He’d prayed for rain in a drought-stricken land and God had granted it. Now, finally, when Elijah was ready to take a vacation, Jezebel was vowing to kill him. It was just too much.

Have you ever felt that way? I have. Numerous times. You just reach a point where you’re so tired, so worn out, just so physically and mentally exhausted that you can’t do it anymore. You just want it all to end. You want God to ease your burdens, relieve your suffering, sooth your battered soul. And He does.

Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!” He looked around and saw some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again. -- 1 Kings 19:5-6

God feeds us nourishment when we are too weary to feed ourselves. He sends a friend to encourage us. He gives us a Bible verse to sustain us. He sends His peace to fill us. God holds us up when we are too devastated to do it for ourselves.

When life gets too much for you, give it all to God. Pour out your heart to Him. Lay your burdens at His feet. Let Him fill you with His strength so that you will find rest for your soul.

　

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

You Can’t Out Give God

For no matter how much they used, there was always enough left in the containers, just as the LORD had promised through Elijah.

-- 1 Kings 17:16

It’s almost back-to-school time, something that is shocking to me. I still think of summer as lasting from the end of May until the beginning of September. Not anymore. School starts again in early August.

For some families, that means more than just the normal frenzy of gathering supplies and a few new clothes. It’s a major strain on a budget that may not have any give at all. The kids are at a disadvantage before the first school bell ever rings and that has just got to break your heart.

It’s been on my mind to launch a drive to gather supplies and money for those kids. The school district has a special fund for this sort of thing. I spoke with the woman who heads it up. Teachers are able to turn in requests to her and she sends out what they need. Teachers, you see, are the first to spot these needs.

I know it’s easy to assume someone else is doing something. You know. One of those charity groups that help the unemployed. And I’m sure there are. My concern isn’t just for those folks, though their children deserve help too. My concern is for the children whose families are part of the working poor group. They tend to slip beneath the radar because they’ve got jobs. But that doesn’t mean they have extras, like notebooks and backpacks.

Most of us are on a tight budget these days. But I’ve found that when it comes to helping others, you always have enough. You can’t out give God. You can’t. When you help other people, He helps you. It’s that simple. You always have enough.

So when you’re heading out to purchase school supplies, pick up a few extra for a child who needs them. If you’d rather make a donation, the school system would be thrilled to get it. Follow your heart and help a child. It's what Jesus would do.

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Turn To God

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,’ he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.”

-- 1 Kings 19:3-4

  Elijah was tired and discouraged. Sure, he’d had victories. But Jezebel had promised to kill him. The constant struggle no doubt weighed on him. Sometimes you just need a day off. A day free from worry and headaches and demands. A day to sleep in and recharge yourself.

That’s basically what Elijah got from God. The next verses tell us that an angel of the LORD woke Elijah and told him to eat and drink because “the journey is too much for you.” God didn’t chastise His servant. God comforted Elijah, He provided him with nourishment and, later, a priceless gift. Because God came to Elijah and spoke with him, encouraged him, gave him advice.

It’s hard sometimes to see God in the darkness that accompanies discouragement and fatigue. It’s difficult to believe that life might ever be better. That you’ll ever be strong enough to handle the never-ending demands. That the criticism and knocks don’t have to define who you are.

Always remember that you are never alone in that dismal place. God never leaves you. He doesn’t berate you or criticize you or call you selfish because you’re too tired to pretend anymore. He comes to you wherever you are and strengthens you.

So when you feel like you can’t face another day and that there will never be a better tomorrow, take it to God. Ask Him to help you and strengthen you and guide you. He will. Every time.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

God Is There

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper." -- 1 Kings 19:12

Nobody paints a sky more beautifully than God! I watch the colors change every afternoon while I walk. It's like the clouds dance to an unheard chorus as they move around the sky. I am forever amazed at the brilliance.

So many people only see God in the big moments. They see Him at church, in the birth of a child or in the comfort given to a cancer patient. They don't look for God in the smaller things in life. We wouldn't want to bother Him with small joys, with small concerns, with daily life. But we don't bother Him. He delights in us. He wants to be with us in all things.

Elijah was more than a little stressed. He'd done what the Lord asked, but people had rejected him and were trying to kill him. So God came to Him, not in the powerful wind or the earthquake or the fire. God came in the gentle whisper that followed.

He shows up in the quiet moments of our lives. When chaos swirls around us, when life seems out of control and we don't know which way to turn. God is there. His artistic wonder and love surround us. All we have to do is look. He is there in the silent beauty of the day.

Saturday, May 22, 2010

"The old prophet answered, "I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: 'Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.'" (But he was lying to him.) So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house." -- 1 Kings 13:18-19

So who do you believe: your preacher or God? Sure. You just answered, "God, of course." Sure about that? Really? Do you take everything he/she says as being true or do you read the Bible and ask God what He really meant?

It's easier to let someone else do all the work for us. We can simply show up on Sundays and be told what God said. Someone else will tell us what He meant. We don't have to read anything. We don't have to think about what a Bible passage might mean to our life. We can simply go through motions and trust that the preacher or teacher or whoever else we're trusting to tell us the truth, is.

That's what an unnamed prophet from Judah did. He listened to God. He went to Bethel. He told the king exactly what God told him to say. He even left by a different road, again as God told him to do. But, you see, God also told him not to eat or drink anything.

Then the old prophet met him along the road. He told the unnamed prophet that he, too, had a vision from God. In that vision God told the old prophet to bring the unnamed prophet to his house and give him food and drink. The unnamed prophet believed the older prophet. It sounded good. Except the older prophet was lying. The unnamed prophet paid for listening to that lie with his life.

That's what we're talking about here. Our lives. Our souls. Our core belief in God. We can't allow someone else to tell us what God says. He has given us His Word. He lets us ask Him questions and He answers us. And, yes, He gives us wonderful teachers and christian friends and family who help us along the path to knowing Him better. But don't ever use them as an excuse or a substitute for looking to the source of everything for answers and guidance. God is everything. Follow Him first and only. Don't ever let anyone -- no matter how well meaning they might be -- lead you astray.

Friday, May 21, 2010

"After seeking advice, the king made two golden calves. He said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."

-- 1 Kings 12:28

After Solomon died, his kingdom was split. Through the prophet Ahijah, God told Jeroboam that he would be king over 10 of the 12 tribes. Solomon's son, Rehoboam, would get one tribe so that David's line would not die out. There was a condition, of course. Jeroboam was to follow God and obey Him and worship only Him. Sounds like an easy rule to follow, doesn't it?

Did Jeroboam listen? No. He was afraid that Solomon's son would win back the tribes when they went to worship God at the temple in Jerusalem. He could have trusted God -- the very One who had given him everything in the first place -- to handle the situation. He didn't. Jeroboam ordered two golden calves to be built and presented them as gods to the people. Bad mistake. If he'd studied a little history, he would have known that Aaron did something similar in Exodus 32. God gets very angry when His people worship golden calves.

It's easy to chuckle about this now. We would never bow down and worship a calf made of gold. But don't we? What's the difference between the money we crave and the golden calf? We may not literally kneel before a stack of money but we sure do spend a great deal of time seeking it. Too bad we don't spend that much time seeking God.

I get frustrated when people think the Bible, especially the Old Testament, doesn't have relevance. It contains so much wisdom. We just have to open our minds and our hearts to hear what God is trying to tell us. Forget the golden calves. Put God first. He'll take care of everything else, including His children who stray time and again.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Don't Be Led Astray

"As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been." -- 1 Kings 11:4

Solomon had everything going for him. He was king. He was rich and famous. He was wise. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines. Okay. So maybe he wasn't totally wise. At least not when he was in "love."

God got mad. Who could blame Him? He'd done everything for Solomon, yet Solomon allowed himself to be led astray -- and away from God -- by his wives. But isn't that true of all of us at one time or another? We allow our peers to influence us in ways that are not God's ways. We do things we shouldn't do, say things we shouldn't say, skirt around things we know aren't right.

I think it's important to be friends with people who aren't Christians, including those who claim christianity but live otherwise. We are called to live in this world but be apart from it. We should set an example of how Jesus would do things and not allow ourselves to be lulled away by Satan. It's hard. We all fall down now and again.

That's when we need to have plenty of Christian friends there to influence us and help us. It's when we need to make extra effort to worship God and attend small group Bible studies. To get down on our knees and pray. To read our Bibles and study His Word.

Don't be like Solomon. Don't let people who worship other gods -- like money, popularity and power -- lead you astray. It's not worth it. Letting God down is not worth anything we might gain on this earth.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Wisdom Comes From God

"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" -- 1 Kings 3:9

King Solomon, David's son, could have asked for anything. Granted, he was already a king. But he could have asked for more power, more money, more territory, good health, a long life, many sons, etc. But he didn't. He asked God to give him a "discerning heart," or wisdom. Wow.

God did grant Solomon wisdom. Plus, great riches and honor because Solomon had asked for something that would benefit others far more than himself. It didn't stop Solomon from making mistakes. He shouldn't have married women who didn't follow God. But he governed his people well. He was respected. And he was wise.

I want to be like that. I want to be wise. I want to know when to hold my tongue. I want to know the path I should travel. I want to make the right decisions at the right time. Except all these requests -- my wants -- are about me. And it's not about me. It's about God.

That's the difference between my requests and Solomon's. Isn't that often the case? We stay so focused on ourselves that we lose sight of God's wishes. Especially when what He wants and what we want aren't the same things.

The Bible tells us that anyone can ask for wisdom. Just check out James 1:3. The catch is that when we ask, we can't doubt or we will lose our footing on that solid rock. I'm a doubter. It's a sin that I struggle with every day. I'm the one always asking if I've got it right, if I'm understanding His plan, if I'm headed in the right direction. I figure that sometimes He just wants me to shut up and do it already.

The hard part for me is going against what other people see. I try to stay true to God's wishes, all the while I'm battling the forces of Satan who would destroy me. It isn't an easy journey. It's not meant to be. So I stay focused on God. He promised to lead me and guide me and, one day, welcome me home.