Mad About You

Did you ever get so mad that you threw a temper tantrum? One of those rip-snorting, arms and legs flailing, screaming and shouting outbursts? We usually expect that from little kids, but adults have their own version, too.

Last August, "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria reportedly threw a "diva tantrum" when she was refused VIP entry to a Los Angeles nightclub. Other folks waiting to get in claim she became very angry when the doorman told her and her boyfriend, Tony Parker, to move to the back of the line like everyone else. She apparently was demanding to be let in immediately, telling the doorman that she was a celebrity and "wouldn't wait."

Wow. Life can be so unfair, eh?

So...what in the world does this have to do with being a "Changeling?"

Here's what Jesus said:
"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matt. 5:5)

Meek. Hmmm, rhymes with "weak."

Unfortunately, that's what most of us think when we see this word, but it actually has nothing to do with weakness. Instead, it's a word that is pretty much the opposite of throwing a temper tantrum.

Time for another reality check: When things don't go your way, do you get angry? I know I do. Most of us get pretty steamed when we make plans and have to change them or give them up. Usually we're getting mad at other people, but we can also get mad at God when it seems like He's not making things happen the way we think they should.

We pray...and He doesn't answer right away. Or He answers differently than we expect. Or, worst of all, He says, "No." Then there's times when He takes away people or activities that we love, sometimes for a season or even forever.

Let's face it, there are changes the Lord wants to make in our lives that we are simply not going to like, and probably can't do anything about. So...just how angry are you? Have you been "throwing tantrums" at God because of the changes He keeps making you deal with? If so, you need some meekness, and you need it right now.

James writes, "My Christian brothers, you know everyone should listen much and speak little. He should be slow to become angry. A man's anger does not allow him to be right with God. Put out of your life all that is unclean and wrong. Receive with a gentle spirit the Word that was taught. It has the power to save your souls from the punishment of sin." (James 1:19-21)

When God speaks and makes changes, we must choose to "receive [them] with a gentle spirit" and not resist Him. Meekness is an inner strength we receive from Him to deal with the disappointment, so we can surrender our right to get angry.

We must never forget that His plans and purposes for us are always for good (Rom. 8:28, Jer. 29:11). We can trust Him to only make changes that will benefit us in some way...even if we can't see how right at this moment.

Plus, His promise to the meek is that they will inherit the earth! How does that work? Well, when we receive His changes properly, it positions us to receive the blessings that those changes bring. Think about it...if you dig in your heels and resist Him, He just continues on, leaving you behind. Wherever He ends up, that's where His blessing and provision for you is...but you're not there because you got mad about the changes and threw a tantrum!

I don't know about you, but wherever I've got to be so I can receive my inheritance from Him...I'm gonna be there!