Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It was a blistery 22 degrees at sunrise and snow is on the way. Although I’m not too keen on the idea that the snowfall may get in the way of my plans, I’ve prayed for snow to nourish the land, so I’ll do my best to trade my disappointment for gratitude. This isn’t the first time recently that God has changed the plans and I’m sure it won’t be the last. As I sat there in the presence of the Most High God I thought about how easy it is for some people to come to the conclusion that doesn’t Know what He’s doing when it comes to changing the Plans…but the God of Tomorrow always knows what He’s doing and all plans, large and small, belong to Him. Although the Word says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” there is no promise to avoid pain and disappointment throughout the Journey. It all comes down to whether or not we choose to whine about our circumstances or if we’re willing to Trust Him no matter what. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Faith too?

If there is anything that can tap my last nerve it’s whining – especially when it comes forth from a professed Follower of Jesus Christ. The whiners will shake their fists at the first sign of disappointment and they don’t hesitate to ask “Why me Lord?” as if they’re being picked on by the Author and Perfector of their Faith. The whiners want His Plans to conform to their plans and when they don’t…off they go. They spend a lot of time focusing on all those things they don’t have as if God has forgotten them and when they’re reminded of what they DO have they shrug it off as if it is meaningless compared to what they really want. They are like a real-time example of the Israelites who grew tired of the miraculous food provisions God rained down day after day because they wanted meat instead of manna. Whiners don’t see themselves as a defiant child but that’s the way God sees them, and as long as they shake their firsts in defiance with an ungrateful heart, they can’t receive all the Good that God has for them. It puts the saying “your own worst enemy” into a spiritual perspective. The Key to Peace and Contentment is so easy when you think about it…Be Grateful for all things and Trust Him with the Plans. This is the Key to Maturity in the Journey of Faith.

The whiners seem to have a perpetual half-empty glass and they LOVE LOVE LOVE to gossip because talking about someone else makes them feel better about their own circumstances. But it’s when we refuse to whine and we trade gossip for heartfelt prayers on behalf of the one we talked against that we see the most amazing fruit come forth in the one we’re praying for AND in ourselves. Whiners have a difficult time with forgiveness and they only extend it to people they deem to be worthy to be forgiven as if Jesus had exemptions for forgiveness that we don’t know about. If you wrong a whiner, they can hold onto what they perceive to be a personal offense forever. The best part is that they’ll attempt to justify their hard heart and they’re rarely willing to take the first step in the forgiveness process. It’s only when we can see ourselves the way God sees us – when we comprehend how hopeless we are without Him – it’s only when we can genuinely embrace the Grace that we can learn to easily forgive. This is the Key to Surrender in the Journey of Faith.

I’m disappointed about the changed Plans of late BUT I have complete Trust in the One who is in Control of my Life. When something happens to change my plans I pause to consider what God is doing to Steer my Life in a better (or safer) direction and I NEVER wonder if He knows what He’s doing. He’s my Father and I’m His child. I don’t want to be a defiant child in His eyes. I don’t want to be ungrateful in His eyes. I don’t want to be one unwilling to Trust because of my own insecurities. I want to worship the King of all kings with every breath I take and when He Redirects me I’ll say “Yes, Lord” without question.

How about you?