I have found throughout my life that I should have focused on solutions, not problems. When we choose to accept God’s help, it’s easier to become part of the solution.
One thing about us humans is we tend to love materialism. That’s why most of us are in a mess. It’s a trap of self-indulgence.
1 Timothy 5:6 says, “She who gives herself to pleasure is dead while she lives.”
I read about a mouse in the widemouth glass gallon jar a while ago. It was about a farmer who put out a wide mouth down jar and feel it 3/4 of the way for grain and corn. The mouse was so happy to find the jar full of delicious food. He was in mouse heaven. His pleasure was great. There was so much food. The mouse would never have to look for food again. Life was easy and he was comfortable. He no longer needed to run an exercise. He would eat and sleep in the jar of grain. The mouse freely ate. Then he would sleep. Then he would eat. Then he would sleep. The mouse thought this must be heaven. The mouse never paid attention to what he was eating. The grain level got lower and lower as he got fatter and fatter.
The mouse was totally dependent on the grain in the jar. The mouse could only survive on the grain in the jar. The more the mouse ate, the lower the grain level fell until he realized he was trapped in the jar. He could see out, but he was trapped at the bottom of the jar. At first, his weight kept him from jumping out. Now he had no choice. His daily choices filled his stomach, but as the grain level lowered, the poor mouse was trapped by his choices, and he had given up all his freedom in the barn.
Self-indulgence can become a death trap. Many wonder why their problems are hurting them so badly. Sometimes the worst thing that can happen might end up being the best thing. Maybe we need to learn the lesson that in our problems, we must fight for a solution. Sometimes the worst thing that can happen might end up being the best thing.
It seems today we have a sense of entitlement and many believe they deserve something. They loved the downhill and easy daily life. Could it be that our trials, problems, and troubles are real blessings that we can’t see? Maybe this negative problem is God stretching and growing our faith. There’s nothing wrong with having pleasure. But pleasure loving can also be a death trap.
We all want things done our way. But materialism and sin has set the trap. We blame the President or ruler of the people and the Preacher. We blame God for our problems when we should be trying to find solutions on earth.
When we choose God, He promises to make a way. Whether we face the Red Sea, a giant like Goliath, or a terrible storm that tries to sink our boat, we must allow our faith in God to be bigger than our fears. God prides Himself to making ways when there seems to be no way.
From Pity to Praise 