Article August 2, 1999 Issue

Finding fault, or finding answers?

Be glad God is in control.

By Mary Elizabeth Clarke

Have you ever found yourself considering how someone else's actions have resulted in your problems? At times like these, it can be easy to launch into a litany of blame. But faultfinding focuses thought on what's wrong with the situation, to the exclusion of possible remedies. Fortunately, though, there's an alternative to this unproductive habit. It is discovered when we turn to God.

Several years ago I found myself stewing over conflicting demands that were being made on me. I was sure that most people would agree the situation was burdensome. In fact, I had read many newspaper and magazine articles with precisely this theme. So, I felt my frustration was justified. I felt powerless to improve things, however, and became increasingly depressed about the matter.

One morning, when I began to ride this unhappy train of thought for the umpteenth time, a revelation came to me: I was believing that other people were in control of my life. Right on the heels of this thought came gratitude for the recognition that God alone is in control. One of the greatest lessons of the Bible is that God is the only power, the only cause, and that He is in absolute control of His entire creation. There is no secondary power, neither one created by Him nor one beyond His control. King David rejoiced in this knowledge when he declared, "Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all" (I Chron. 29:11). As I thought about this uplifting truth, I felt at peace.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

IN NEXT WEEK'S SENTINEL