When you complain; you remain

Habakkuk 1: 1-4 How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?  Why do you make me look at injustice?  Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted. (NIV) I had the awesome pleasure of hearing Pastor Paula White speak this past week. Out of the many words that she spoke that evening, the one simple verse that remains with me is: "When you complain; you remain." This simple verse got me thinking of the countless times that I may have murmured negatively about a situation or carelessly chose my words. If I am expecting better results or believing in God to work on my behalf, why are my words negative? Have I fooled myself into thinking that I can possibly reap an abundance when I spew negativity from my mouth? In the first chapter of Habakkuk, we find that Habakkuk is in a desperate state of mind. According to his point of view, everything is going wrong, the Lord is allowing sin to run rampant and evil is prevailing. Habakkuk goes on and on about justice being perverted and the Lord being silent through it all. Habakkuk remained in this negative environment because he could not see his way out. He continuously complained and did not trust God to turn things around for him. It is not until the third chapter that Habakkuk changes his tone. Instead of complaining, he falls on his knees in prayer to an almighty God that has more than enough to fix his situation. I ask you today, do your words match your belief? Does your trust put you in a position to remain or to advance? Let's pray about it.... Dear Lord, we thank you for your mighty work in our life. When we do not understand what is going on or we have doubt that things will work out on our behalf, we will choose to trust you and speak your words and not our own. Father, in our own strength we fail but in you we prosper. We thank you for never leaving us to ourself and we honor you for your love and mercy.  In Jesus name we pray! Amen! Much Love, Mrs. Misenheimer