"Just Tell Me!"

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."-Philippians 4:6

My kids, Emma and Lucas, have both entered into varying stages of the homework realm (Lucas in 2nd grade where things seem to start ramping up and Emma now in 5th where it's a new stage of commitment too). My wife might laugh (or scream) when she reads this as she is more often than not the one that is the homework helper but nonetheless....

When I have the opportunity to guide the kids in their work it can be a lot of fun or a bit of a challenge. One of the challenging moments is when either one of them (or both) start blurting out "I don't understand", "I don't know how to do it", "I don't get it"..... "Just tell me the answer!". In these memorable moments, they do not care how they get the work done. They simply want to be told what to write or do. It's a battle of wills while trying to provide encouragement and motivation to accomplish the task at hand but ensuring they are the one learning!

Ever had a day(s) where you just want God to tell you the answer? It's too hard. You're sick of waiting, drained, and don't care about the process but simply want an outcome. While it's not entirely that simple, you never need to worry either….He always has an answer and He's ready to give it too. (Although it may not be the one we want or in our timing). I'd encourage you to be reminded of what scripture shares with us when we're looking for answers to our problems.

1. Ask Him for Help! - "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

2. Commit to Asking! - "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." Colossians 4:2

3. Seek His Answer! - "“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9

4. His Answer is Always Greater! - "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4

5. Believe Boldly and without Timidity! - "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

My prayer for you (and definitely myself) is that He continues to equip us with the courage to shout out to Him for the answers and just tell us. Know that He'll never disappoint!

Boldly Seeking (His) Answers,  Tim Gast, Valley Lutheran High School, Phoenix, AZ