Righteous Whining?

By Shari Johnson –

Surely I was justified, I’m the Jesus Chick…From Whining to Winning!

I read about an interview in years gone where Barbara Walters interviewed Barbara Bush. And in true Walters form she asked questions again and again about President Bush’s famous political rivals. Each time Mrs. Bush would pause… and then choose to say nothing. But finally! Barbara Walters hit just the right rival that got Mrs. Bush’s dander up, but she still only replied “I just love to hear that man whimper.” When I read that, I giggled slightly under my breath, okay maybe I laughed out loud, although I really, really don’t like to hear whiners, especially if it’s me. So today is a day of confession. I’ve been whining… a lot lately. Mostly to the Lord, on a rare occasion it spills out on my husband David, but it’s been pretty intense. Frustrations mount; a busy schedule and a to-do list a mile long, resources limited, and then I was blindsided by a few unexpected things on my to-do list, and you’d think I was under the oppression of Job for crying out loud!

I’m not exactly sure without studying it out why Asaph was in his whimpering mode in Psalm 73, perhaps he was justified. I’m pretty sure if God allowed him to write books in the Bible he likely had reason. Or maybe not, but for certain, I do not. Anyway…Asaph said in Psalm 73:1-5 ~ Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no bands in their death: but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men; neither are they plagued like other men.

I’ve been in that “my feet were almost gone” mode. Crying out to God woe is me, woe is me, can You fix it! Surely I am not alone. This morning as I got up and began to write and the Lord laid this thought on mind He got my attention. Because in true “Shari” form I Google’d “righteous whiners in the Bible.” After all I was righteous in my whining, surely I was justified, I am the Jesus Chick! I know that I am far from perfect… but dog gone it I try to live for the Lord and do His will and yada yada yada…

Do you know what comes up under that Google search? I’ll tell you what comes up: A Whiners Guide to Chemotherapy – Booklet – Does God Exist? Talk about putting life in perspective.

I truly do not have problems compared to many. Asaph understood too. In verse 17 He begins his transformation from whining to winning when he says “Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

The wonderful thing about spending time with God, is if you’re willing to listen, God doesn’t beat around the bush. He’s quick and to the point! He told me to stop whining, I have work to do for the Kingdom of God to show souls the way from Hell. I’ll claim Asaph’s final words in Chapter 73 as my own today ~ Verse 28 ~  “But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works”. He is so faithful, I am so human.

Shari Johnson is “The Jesus Chick” writer/speaker and Born again child of God, saved by grace and serving Christ. Dedicated to His Service through all she does. Wife to David, Momma to Tiffani and Whitney, Nona to Luke, Noah, Nicolis and Paityn. Find her here, friend her on Facebook or read her thoughts at http://www.thejesuschick.com.