March 15

Back the Plan with Prayer

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.  ––1 John 5:14

Nothing rocks my world more than when Chrissy and I are at odds over something, and I’m not getting through––she doesn’t understand what I’m trying to say. Do I make my point again? Do I start all over again?  Do I cave in and apologize (sometimes for I’m-not-sure-what)? What do I do with all the anger, frustration, and guilt I feel inside? I have learned from experience that “the mole” (the enemy of our souls) always suggests the wrong way. The thought floats in: She’s in the wrong; you don’t need to apologize. I may successfully defend myself by not blowing a gasket, but it’s far from over.

“I told you last week about the coaches’ dinner tonight,” I say. “No you didn’t,” Chrissy replies. “I specifically remember telling you that Thursday night was Tina’s birthday, and the girls were all taking her out,” I add. “You never told me that! When did you tell me that?” Chrissy shoots back.

“Should I just call Donna and tell her to go ahead without me?” Chrissy asks. The mole wants me to say, “Yes, you probably should call Donna.” But a husband with a servant’s heart says, “I can call her husband Greg later tonight, and he can fill me in on what happened at the coaches’ dinner.” The temptation is to sit in your anger and resentment, right? But no one thinks they are wrong when they are angry. 

The emotional, mental, and spiritual forces in play have to be managed and directed in a healthy way. That’s when I start opening up to God out of sheer need and pray, Lord Jesus, have mercy on me. It’s hard to sin and pray simultaneously. God is waiting for you to call out to Him.  “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth,” the psalmist assured us. “He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them” (Psalm 145: 18-19).

If we call out to the One waiting to listen, the mole doesn’t stand a chance.

Father, I know You are always waiting to talk with me. Thank You for being my Father and my friend.