Why is this taking so long?
There I was, frustrated to no end!
Needing the Lord to solve a problem I had no control over.
Prayerfully pleading with Him about this “issue” had brought little to no progress.
I was stuck in the quagmire of this situation, unable to gain ANY semblance of a breakthrough.
Why wasn’t He helping me?
What was taking Him so long to solve this issue?
For the life of me, I could not figure this out.
“Just fix this!” was my cry and I didn’t see what the hold up was.
Honestly, I was tired of waiting! Can I even say a little annoyed at the unfairness of it all?
I was not the one responsible for this “issue”. This was the fault, or at least the responsibility, of someone else. Yet because I love them, I am caught up in their circumstances.
If they would just do what they needed to do, then I would finally be relieved of my suffering!!
Or would I?
What was my greater issue?
In hindsight, I can see the faulty reasoning that was frustrating me. I was unable to recognize the greater issue that needed addressing FIRST.
ME!
This passage in Mark is the perfect example of kingdom priorities as Jesus sees it.
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:1-5
Ummmm, I don’t think that is what the paralyzed man had in mind THAT day!! He was coming to Jesus with an obvious condition he had no control over. This man was desperate for Jesus to solve his problem as no one else could!! He needed the issue of paralysis to be removed ASAP.
All he had in mind was RELIEF in the form of a solution. A miracle!
No more problem = no more suffering.
“Just heal me and we will be on our way” is what I would have been thinking.
What was Jesus trying to teach?
Why would Jesus look at a paralyzed man and think his physical condition wasn’t the primary concern?
He chose to address his spiritual condition first that day because THAT WAS the greater issue.
Just like it was for me as well.
He was trying to teach me a greater advantage than being problem-free.
Jesus was trying to teach me a greater advantage than being problem-free. Share on XJesus knew that as soon as one issue is resolved, another one will pop up in its place. He teaches His disciples in John 16:33,
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
The goal isn’t to strive for a trouble-free existence, but to better handle the ongoing nature of trials. The basing of our goal on the solutions to our problems keeps us continually tied to their outcome. Christ came to teach that our solution rested with our salvation.
Once we are saved, then “in Him” we are kept safe and secure no matter what assails against us.
Why is “in me” so important?
For my own circumstance, Jesus was teaching me that my greater need was in how I handled the issues more than the issues themselves. I kept coming to Him to fix my problem when all along He wanted to fix me first!
I kept coming to Jesus to fix my problem when all along He wanted to fix me first! Share on XIf I could learn from Him how to have peace regardless of my circumstances, then I could break free from my suffering in spite of what is going on around me.
My relief would not be contingent on resolutions or rescues but on Christ Himself!
My relief would not be contingent on resolutions or rescues but on Christ Himself! Share on XWhat was there to gain from waiting?
God was waiting to solve my problem for my own good! If He resolved my issue before He changed me, then I would remain the same- susceptible to the decisions of others and the inevitable trouble of this world.
David had learned this freedom for himself and summarized it well in Psalm 16:8. Trouble may come but that doesn’t have to mean our peace has to be compromised because of it.
Where I felt vulnerable to the trouble around me, Christ was waiting for me to learn the freedom only He can provide. Because of the ongoing nature of trials experienced this side of heaven, Christ wants our peace to be found “in Him” rather than solutions to all our problems. That kind of peace is conditional.
His kind of peace is unconditional.
I’ve come to realize what we need the most isn’t a solution, it’s Him!
Do you find yourself in a prolonged or recurring trial? You may be experiencing the same delay I did, due to God giving the opportunity for change to happen first in you, before your problem.
A great place to start is in prayer- asking what He wants you to learn from your trial. I did that and had so much to learn that I wrote a Bible study from it!
Does God ever promise to fix all our problems to our liking? No. But it is my prayer that you learn the hope that is yours as you wait upon Him:) He has far more in mind for you than mere relief. He is out for your freedom and peace! And that my friend is worth waiting for!
~ linda says
Thank you, Gretchen. Patience and reliance upon Jesus is something I forget far too easily. Your words here soothe my soul as I wait upon the Lord for His timing.
Gretchen Fleming says
So glad we can both take comfort in the work of the Lord on our behalf:) It’s so hard to “wait” but God is perfect in His ways contrary to what we may be feeling about it at times. Thanks for stopping by Linda!
Emily Davenport says
This has made me look inside myself to realize how much I needed to hear this message. I pray to have a family problem resolved time & again, but it doesn’t change. I have been waiting patiently, but now I realize that it is up to me to let Him be all I need and let the problem go completely. Thanks.
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Emily:) It can be so difficult to shift our focus off of the problem others are responsible for and what God wants to refine in us but it truly helps us deal with the problem so much better. Took me a long time to come to that conclusion but I was so much more free when I did. Thanks for visiting with me:)
Bella says
So true that God is sometimes more concerned with transforming us to be more like Christ, rather than changing our situation. It can be hard in the middle of it, but I love looking back and seeing what God has done.
Gretchen Fleming says
Yes indeed Bella! I was confronted with the fact that God may not change our circumstances so the purpose of me changing in order to be less controlled by it was even more necessary. I came to the conclusion that not all of our trials get resolved like we want at times and I had to consider that we may be that family who continues to have unresolved issues. What then? Well He taught me how to change so if that was our reality, I could persevere and overcome regardless. Thanks for stopping by !
Heather says
This is definitely a lesson God is teaching me right now as well. Life happens, we can’t control it, but God is still good, and we can still trust in Jesus.
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Heather! Well said!
Brenda says
Such truth, Gretchen. We spent 5 years in the midst of pain we couldn’t rescue ourselves from – and despite our crying out to God, He didn’t think it prudent to answer quickly. It’s hard to wait when you’re suffering. Love what you say — that troubles will come, but we don’t have to forfeit our peace because of them. Beautiful. Thank you for sharing these wise words, Gretchen. ((hug))
Gretchen Fleming says
You are so right Brenda and blessings to you my friend:)
Tammy Kennington says
Hi Gretchen.
I loved your post today! Such a great reminder that God has the best and most important in mind for his children! Thanks for sharing.
Tammy
Gretchen Fleming says
My pleasure Tammy and thanks for stopping by!
Maree Dee says
Gretchen,
I couldn’t agree with you more – “The goal isn’t to strive for a trouble-free existence, but to better handle the ongoing nature of trials.”
God is all we need.
We are headed back into a place I don’t want to go. I knew we would visit again, but I was beginning to enjoy and get comfortable with where we were. All day yesterday – God kept whispering, – “me first” “be still” “slow down.”
I stopped and listened and was filled with such peace. Oh, the pain is still here but God and cry well together.
Thank you for your post. It reminded me to look for the lesson. I always find one.
Maree
Gretchen Fleming says
What you said Maree about you and God crying well together……oh my. How profound and intimate?! I so agree with you. There is a sweet place in His embrace even when we are crying our hearts out. I hope we can hug Him when we get to heaven. I feel as though I have lived in His embrace down here so I certainly want to feel it first hand up there. Cling fast my friend and settle in. Love and prayers your way my friend.
Ruth @ plantedbylivingwater says
“what we need the most isn’t a solution, it’s Him!”
A super-big AMEN! Hallelujah!
Praise God that He made a way for us to know Him through Christ’s finished work! 🙂
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Ruth!
Ruth @ plantedbylivingwater says
🙂
Ruth @ plantedbylivingwater says
I’m also linked up next to you at Heart Encouragement Thursday, so “Hi again!” 🙂
I was thinking about a picture of what you were describing above. If a child has a new bicycle and crashes it because of riding it incorrectly, the father might find it wiser to teach the child the proper way to ride it before investing time and money into repairing the bike even if the child begs and pleads.
Gretchen Fleming says
Wow! great analogy Ruth! Makes so much sense when you put it that way doesn’t it? Thanks for visiting with me:)
Rachel Britton says
Hard to do, but taking our eyes off our trials and focusing on Him is what will bring us peace. Thanks, Gretchen.
Gretchen Fleming says
It is definitely hard to do but I find when I am able to do so, it makes all the difference I crave. Thanks Rachel for stopping by:)
Dani says
I needed to read this! It’s so easy to get caught up in our circumstances and struggles instead of looking to our sovereign God to grow us! I pray that I would seek to know Him and to become like Christ instead of seeking a quick solution.
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Dani! Great prayer! Seems so natural to seek the quick solution to avoid as much pain as possible but it isn’t what we need the most . Sanctification is where we find our freedom in the long run. The more Christlike we become the less this world drags us down. Thanks for your visit:)
Bonnie says
The goal isn’t to strive for a trouble-free existence, but to better handle the ongoing nature of trials…..Wow! Yes, that is exactly what I needed to be reminded of. I am in the years of raising little ones and I find it so stressful to constantly manage crises. Thanks for the encouragement.
Gretchen Fleming says
My pleasure Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by:)
Sue says
So glad you stopped by Christian marriage and motherhood on Facebook today!
I praise God i was able to read this post, because i am in a period of my own life where i am waiting, and seeking out what God has in store for me and my family. Thank you for reminding us that He is at our right hand, and We should not be shaken!
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Sue! I love that verse of David’s where he says that he sets the Lord before him always and he will not be shaken. That is the “how-to”. By continually bringing our focus back to Christ, we are able to make it through whatever is before us. Blessings my friend:)
Debbie Kitterman says
Gretchen – I am so sorry, it has taken me almost a whole week to stop by and comment from #TuneInThursday linkup last week. I was away at a Conference since last week and the wifi was practically non-existent.
I like your point that God wants to fix us not our problems, in the fixing of us, He will indeed fix the problem. God is so smart. This is such a great and helpful post.
Again thank you for linking up last week, and I hope to see you tomorrow at #TuneInThursday
Gretchen Fleming says
Oh no worries at all Debbie! Hope you enjoyed your conference;)
Rebecca L Jones says
I think I started off well, then I was trying to fix me by what I heard from ministers. He’d already done it if I just followed Him. That was one constatnt accusation I got about following televangelists, but I was studying for myself. People can get it wrong and even confuse you, but He can’t. Now, I can study with freedon and let the Holy Spirit teach me.
Gretchen Fleming says
I agree Rebecca, it can be easy to become confused. That’s why I believe strongly in finding a Bible preaching local church to attend and also listening to sermons from Biblically sound ministries that you respect. Good sound doctrine helps us grow and recognize the confusion more readily. Thanks for visiting with me today:)
Frankie says
Problems are around us everyday and everyplace. Problem provides opportunity to experience the living God, it makes the WORD come alive.
Gretchen Fleming says
Well said and so very true!