- photo by Susan PageWhat happens when we do not get all that we want from life? How do we react when we do not receive exactly what we want when we want it? Picture a child having a temper tantrum. It is not a pretty picture.

We often pray, wait, and wonder why God has not given us “the desires of our heart.” Isn’t that what He promised?

We may assume that God is not giving us what we deserve because we feel we deserve something better.

Often, a bad attitude surfaces, resentment bubbles up and bitterness soon follows. Resentment starts with believing the lie that we deserve to control our own lives. The truth is we are God’s children. The problem often is we do not completely give Him our all.

How could we ever think that we know better than our Heavenly Father? This is a direct attack on God’s sovereignty. It traces back to the Garden of Eden. Satan used the argument on Eve, God does not want what is best for you and He is withholding all the good stuff.

Impatience, resentment, bitterness, and a bad attitude result from believing the lies. The world is great at proclaiming that we deserve to have all our dreams come true. We are constantly bombarded with the idea that life should be fair.

As Christians, we need to believe the truth of God’s Word and live in faith believing, one moment at a time that God has the best plan for our ultimate good. Our Faithful Father is all-knowing, all-powerful, and faithful to all His promises.

Let us think about how Christ endured the ultimate “not fair.” He suffered a cruel and excruciating death on the cross. He, who had no sin, became sin for us. Jesus gave His all. If we received what we deserved, we would all spend eternity in hell.

God had a better plan. He always does. Christ took our place and if we give our all to Him, we gain the ultimate ... Everlasting life! All our questions and the waiting and wondering will end when we spend eternity with Him.

“And we know that in ALL things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

 Susan Page is the daughter of the King, His beloved child, wonderfully forgiven and blessed! Susan longs to age gracefully, becoming more like Jesus as she seeks the hidden treasures revealed to her through Scripture, literature, the arts, humankind, and nature.