Psalms 119:33&34
34 Give me understanding [a teachable heart and the ability to learn], that I may keep Your law; And observe it with all my heart.
35 Make me walk in the path of Your commandments,
For I delight in it.
Have you ever had to pray, “Lord, make me willing to be willing”? I know for me there are some days that is all I have in me to give. I am not in a place to even be willing to do the right thing. No way! No how! It is usually because I am so frustrated, angry or hurt at the moment that my inner rebellious little tantrum throwing child is screaming out in pure agony.
Just ask any of my children or my hubby and they will tell you I am very good at the hands on hips, foot tapping, laser eyes, and tightly drawn lips. Shoot I even add the jaws clenched and teeth grinding some days. It is in those moments I really need a heavenly attitude adjustment.
I know it.
Everyone around me knows it.
But I! Don’! Want! To! (Please insert stomping foot for full effect!)
I want to hand on to my anger and hurt. I mean, it was obviously someone else’s fault that I am in this mess. Somebody did something to me. I would never choose to be acting like this; would I? Or would I? Is that somebody really making me act this way? Do they have so much control that they pull my strings and I perform?
Well, let me tell you, last time I checked Pinocchio and I could sing a duet.
I’ve got no strings
To hold me down
To make me fret, or make me frown
I had strings
But now I’m free
There are no strings on me
I am sorry to say, there is no one making you or I DO anything.
Now please pause with me here just one moment. I am not saying we never have a reason to feel hurt or angry. What I am saying is we can choose not to hit DEFCON 1 and let your Mt Vesuvius spew everywhere, while balancing on an earthquake during a hurricane. Oh come on, you know you have all been there. I am not just being a drama queen here.
When those weather patterns start circling and I feel my temperature rising, I have to choose to step back. Somedays I have packed all the right gear and can avoid the storm altogether. Other days it rushes up on you out of what seems like nowhere and I have to start with just being willing to be willing.
When I step up and say, God, I am willing to ask to be willing, I can almost hear see him slap and rub His hands together and say, “OK, Challenge accepted!”
I think that is why I love the amplified version of Psalms 119:34 & 35. In those moments I am reaching out to God and saying my heart is pretty hard right now. Please give me understanding, soften my heart teachable and make it teachable. God, I am willing to put one foot in front of the other but please MAKE me walk in Your path. I know in the end gray skies are gonna clear up and I will put on a happy face.
So the next time the weather alerts to possible storms ahead, grab your rain coat to show God you are at least willing to be willing and He will handle the rest.
Copyright © 2017 Tabetha Frick All Rights Reserved.