fits end when trust begins!

isn't is amazing how it is so easy for people to get along as long as everything is going the way that they would like it to. I have noticed that my children think life is just grand and their parents are wonderful as long as they are getting to do what they want. but, as soon as something doesn't go their way or we have to discuss something that needs to be addressed in their life that they would rather not discuss, the tone of their voice changes and the level of sound rises to try to show the necessity of getting what they want or try to prevent having to deal with an issue that they would like to avoid. when that doesn't work, then over reaction usually takes place with pouting and saying things like, "i never get to do what i want!" "you don't trust me!" every body else gets to do it!" "i don't want to deal with this right now!" it's my life!"

sounds like a fit, doesn't it? actually, it is. just like when a little toddler does not get something they want and they throw themselves on the floor and start screaming. their flailing arms, kicking legs, their cries and screams communicate the same things as the teenager who speaks his mind easily with words. either way, both of them are sure that what they are missing out on is so vitally important that they must convince their parents of that. inside of them is the thought that we do not know as much about the issue as they do or the feeling that we are holding something back from them something that would make their life so much better. but, in reality, the opposite is usually true. we do know more than them and the only thing we are holding something back from them is something that could possibly hurt them or bring them destruction. the real issue is trust. they are not convinced of us having their best interest at heart. they believe that we really do want to keep some things that are good from them.

usually the end result of the issue is sulking and pouting. but, some times children are so convinced that they need what they want so badly that they try to get it somehow anyway. a teenager that has been told that they can not go somewhere that they want to go might sneak and go anyway or a toddler that has been told they can not go outside because it is too cold might continuously keep trying to open the door and go outside themselves. knowing that they can not live without attaining what they want, they attempt to go after it themselves.

i see this behavior in adults as well, even in my own self sometimes. well, maybe adults don't throw outward fits. actually, some do. but getting really frustrated if something is not going the way that we would like it to or had planned for our lives would be considered an adult fit before God. and, just like a child that is not convinced of their parents desire to give them everything that would make their life great, thinking that they are holding back on them, we rant and rave before God. and, rather than trusting God that He has His hand in our lives and He is blessing us with the right things at the right time to bring His perfect plan to pass in our lives, we do one of two things, we sulk, pout, fold our hands in our lap and have a pity party or we venture out to try to get what we want ourselves trying to change our current situation somehow.

the root of every fit is lack of trust in the one that has control. and, lack of trust is the result of believing the lie that the one in control is holding back something good from them. the enemy of our soul has not changed his tactic since the beginning of time. he is still using the same lie that he used in the garden of eden, "this is not a bad thing. it is a good thing. it will not hurt you. it will bring great things into your life. God is really trying to prevent you from knowing what He knows and experiencing something better than you could possibly imagine. don't wait on Him. take matters into your own hands and see for yourself" (my paraphrase) what a big, fat lie!! the only thing that God was holding back from us was death and the destruction of our lives that living apart from Him brings. and, He has not changed!

it is only when our children become fully assured of our love for them, our desire to bring good into their lives and prevent them from falling into harm that they will be able to accept our ways for them and trust us. it is only when we are fully assured of God's love for us and His desire to bring good into our lives and prevent us from falling into harm that we will be able to accept His ways and trust Him. whether it be sulking and pouting or taking matters into our own hands, fits end when trust begins!