The Brat in Each of Us

We don’t always get what we want. (I think I remember a song by a famous rock band that mourned that truth!) I might even go as far as to say that at times, the default anthem of our hearts is, “My will be done!” 

Many of us (parents and innocent bystanders) have witnessed the incorrigible and implacable child who in the public arena makes his discontent loudly known to all onlookers. Glares and stares make their assessment known and the parent of the child usually feels weighted down with uncomfortable embarrassment. Most parents have known that “Wanna get away?” feeling.

There’s nothing ok (sorry if you disagree with this) about a child acting out because they didn't get their way. And there’s nothing ok with the ways we sometimes act out when we don’t get our way. 

“That raise wasn’t as much as I expected, see if I keep giving it my all to this job!”

“Fine, my spouse won’t acquiesce to my good idea, let’s see what happens when their idea fails.”

“Pastor corrected me - I'll make sure everyone knows I was wrongly treated.”

Maybe you have some of your own personal quotes! 

I have a question, though. Do you believe God is sovereign? In other words, is God in control of all situations? Is there anything that can happen without him knowing of it - even if it doesn’t align with his desiderative will? ¹ Job could probably relate to and comment on this question. If asked in an interview today what one should do when things don’t go one’s way, his response might very well be, “It is wise to leave such things in the hands of the wise and powerful God.” ²

I am not saying we don’t talk about what miffs us or that we don’t ask honest questions, I’m just saying that when you don’t get what you want it is a wiser tack to cast your cares on him, the almighty and perfectly loving one, than to carry them yourself and vent your displeasure for all to see.

God is calling us upward, to a growing maturity, encouraging us up higher to trust, delayed gratification, and a gaze that looks to the heavenly instead of the earthly pleasures. This path is not always comfortable and can even make us feel cranky.

Who doesn’t like to be in control? And who likes to be told what to do?

Jesus' landmark prayer during His greatest period of suffering gives us the attitude we should aim for,

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” ³

We can face the grumpy mood inducing affronts to our will in the same way: “Lord, this is really hard! I don’t like it and if you can get me out of this, great! But if not, then your will be done, not mine. And help me to not be a brat, but to honor you before all as I go through what I'm going through.” Yes, that prayer can be a hard prayer to pray with sincerity! But we can aim towards it.

Jesus knew he had a “cup” to drink. We have our own cup to drink, our cross to carry, as well. And that can rub us the wrong way when we have to face it head on. But the best response, a response we do well to teach our children as well, is to ask for help when we are confronted with the what-we-want verses the what-the-Lord-has-for-us moments.

Allow me to close with this: you are not alone in your war of the will. I am not alone in my war with the will. All believers are engaged in this epic battle; and setting bratty-ness aside, by God’s grace, we can embrace grace and walk nobly through the challenges we face and shine the light as a city on a hill.

References

¹ It can be helpful to begin our understanding of God's will by saying he has a desiderative will - what he wants or desires to happen but won't necessarily happen, and a decretive will - what he demands will happen and will make happen.

² Job thought he knew God and his plans until he realized that he knew nothing!

Job 42:5-6 - My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.

³ Matthew 26:39 NIV