Thursday, May 9, 2013

Posted on by

SULKING, POUTING, ETC.

Suggested Reading: 1 Kings 21

Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).

A present-day vineyard in what was ancient Samaria.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

Key Verse: 1 Kings 21:4

So Ahab went into his house sullen and displeased because of the word which Naboth the Jezreelite had spoken to him; for he had said, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” And he lay down on his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no food.

A big baby, a spoiled brat always used to having his own way, a sulker, etc. are names that come to mind to describe Ahab. He tried to get his own way by manipulating other people. Then there was his wife, Jezebel. She was the daughter of a neighbouring king and probably had seen her father get his way by exercising raw power. It becomes a “do it my way or else” approach to challenges. Both approaches are caution signs, warning “immature people ahead.”
God has provided a way out for both the victim of such childishness and for the one who succumbs to such “poor me” efforts to manipulate others. Repent of such attitudes and actions. Refuse to be an enabler of such actions. Ahab would not have bothered to sulk unless he knew that by so doing Jezebel would feel sorry for him and spring into action.
Ahab tried to turn his life around by going through acts showing repentance, and God’s judgement was postponed for a time. However, the prophet’s predictions would eventually come to pass.

PRAYER FOR TODAY:

Lord God, I pray that I will not succumb to the fleshly impulse to sulk and pout over my circumstances. May I mature into a joyful follower of You. And please Father, when I grow up, I want to be like Your Son, Jesus. In His Name I ask for Your help, Amen!

100 PERSONAL WORDS:

I remember saying several times to my students when I was a public school teacher, “Grow up!” A chapter title for the book I’m writing is “From Mess to Maturity, a Work in Process.” GROW UP! I remember the Apostle Paul wrote something about this. He tells us to be no longer children, manipulated by trickery, craftiness, and outright deception. I’ve just read for a New Testament reading, Ephesians 4:11-16. Words such as “equipping – edifying – perfect (complete) – stature – fullness” cause me to do spiritual stretching exercises.

When my children were little and they would pout, I kept a mirror handy so I could show them their facial expression. It’s really hard to retain a snit when you look in a mirror. That screwed up face would soon become a smile and then lots of laughter. It has been said, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and I would add that laughing at one’s self is, without a doubt, the very best kind of laughter. The senior’s show I produced and hosted called, “Really Good Medicine,” can be found on our Crossroads eStore here.

Need a good laugh? I have a suggestion. Go to the mirror now and make the face you used to make as a child when you were really feeling sorry for yourself because of real or imagined hurt feelings. I’ve just done that. What a good laugh!

Yours for continuing to “grow up,”

David

A man stands atop a large pillar base in the ruins of ancient Samaria.

GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.

 

27 thoughts on “Thursday, May 9, 2013”

  1. The other day at Walmart I got caught between a somewhat upset and sulking little girl and her mother as I was exiting one section; the little girl didn’t notice me as she hurled a crumpled napkin at her mother in anger, it hit me. I’m impervious to crumpled napkins so I wasn’t hurt (haha!), but I quickly realized the result of her not getting her way! I thought to myself, isn’t it amazing how the “I” gets in the way? Now of course I excuse the little girl as I realize it’s all about the “I” at that young age … but, how many people do you know that never really get past the “I” in life, it’s all about themselves and what they want, and if they don’t get it, then look out! We are all born with a sinful nature that is inherited, we can’t do anything about it. Through Christ and His indwelling Holy Spirit we can learn a better way, the Christian way of love, charity, forgiveness and self control. We don’t have to react the way a child might react, Christ lives in us, willing and directing us through His Holy Spirit. By living in Christ and having His Holy Spirit live in us, we will always find the better way; by doing so, we can always be sure not to get caught up in a life that is totally consumed with ourselves.

    Reply ↓

  2. A prideful immaturity, I would say. The word “brat” comes to mind. Laughing right along with you, David Mainse! 🙂 Love the message and photos, today. Here is a poem I wrote, yesterday morning, which I read for the Golden Harvester’s Luncheon at our church:

    We Praise You on High
    By Beverlee Kay

    For world peace, and love of all nations,
    We call out to You, Lord God, hear our prayer.
    That healing on earth, will come for all children,
    And alter destruction, from war and despair.

    Let compassion, and forgiveness, embrace us,
    And erase every mark, of anguish, we’ve known.
    Let all brothers, and sisters, among us,
    Come to know Christ, our Saviour, and Lord.

    Let the joys, of God’s kingdom, enwrap us,
    As we honour, our mothers and fathers, with care.
    And support those, with needs, before us,
    When we bow down, at the altar, in prayer.

    Let us be thankful, for abundance, we’re granted,
    For God’s mercy, and grace, so divine.
    We are nothing, without you, our Heavenly Father,
    Christ Jesus, Holy Spirit–we praise You on high!

    Wishing fellow saints a most blessed day on high!

    Reply ↓

  3. That is a beautiful poem Beverlee David laughter is the best medicine I wish more
    people would who knows it could help.
    Bless you today David and your family
    Lianne Hogg

    Reply ↓

  4. It is so true sounding how Ahab new his sulking behaviour would affect his wife to take action for him, when he was unable to be gratified with the vineyard. Jezebel felt empowered acting on his behalf with such a horrendous stoning outcome. Where is the love?! Where is the respect?! Despite repentance, there are always consequences, and it is interesting how they can happen generationally. As it has been said, the sins of the father can be carried to the second, third and further generations. That is scary! The opposite, love, is true as well. Lord help us to follow your prayer and learn to laugh at ourselves should we fall into such character weakness as self pity and manipulation. Let’s enjoy this day our Lord has given us, regardless of what happens!

    Reply ↓

  5. Really good assessment of King Ahab’s character and reaaly good instruction, David and fellow bloggers. Great poem Beverlee and yours too Donna; to think you wrote it just for us is touching. Thanks both of you and for all of of you who contribute to our lives each day. My dear Christian mother liked to laugh and she would quote the verse, “Laughter doeth good like a medicine.” (Proverbs 22:17). I have a copy, David and in fact an extra copy that you handed to me yourself on your Cross Canada tour. Thanks and have a good day everyone.

    Reply ↓

  6. I have watched that show “Really Good Medicine” David and I always enjoyed it.
    I agree with all the comments today. Have a great day fellow blog buddies!

    This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

    Reply ↓

  8. It saddens me to think how much power Jezebel had and used it for evil, and then how merciful our God was when Ahab humbled himself and the calamity would not be carried out until his son’s time.

    Reply ↓

  9. P.s. thank you David for reminding us of laughter…..we need more of that. I think I will have a mirror around when my grandchildren don’t get their own way!!!

    Reply ↓

  10. King Ahab reminds me of a quote from Ogden Nash that I once read, took some time to remember it, but I did– I think it is both profound and funny at the same time, so I thought I share it.

    “You are only young once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.”

    Reply ↓

  11. Dear David and fellow bloggers,
    Have a wonderful day making sure that the Lords joy in us will be contagious on every person that we encounter today all to Jesus glory .
    Thank you so much Beverlee for your beutiful poem
    God bless you all 🙂

    Reply ↓

  12. Thank you Beverlee Kay for those beautiful words.Wonderful insightful, thought-provoking comments. In my devotions yesterday I read this Quote which really jumped out at me which says Contentment is a rare jewel, but it cannot be obtained through direct pursuit. It is ALWAYS a byproduct and benefit of pursuing Christ.
    God bless each one!!!!!!

    Reply ↓

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.