“Issues” With the Lord”

What’s the first thing you think of when you see the word “issue(s)?  I think of a problem, a disagreement, an altercation, something unresolved, right?  It’s become a daily type of venacular even my eight year old has used!  I looked at his huge brown eyes and asked incredulously, “Excuse me, what did you say?” Nevertheless, it’s has become what I refer to as a shadow word because its definition is so cloudy to many and, if anyone took five minutes to look it up, they’d be a little amazed at its true definition and synonyms!

Get a load of Webster!

-plural : proceeds from a source of revenue (as an estate)

-tThe action of going, coming or flowing out: Egress, Emergence.

-A means of going out: Exit, Outlet.

-Offspring , Progeny

-A final outcome that usually constitutes a solution [as of a problem] or resolution [as of a difficulty].

-Obsolete: a final conclusion or decision about something arrived at after consideration.

-A matter that is in dispute between two parties.

-Something coming forth from a specific source

      Except for one definition, all contradicted what the popular definition zs held to be true. I counted over thirty synonyms I’d have never thought of! What the power of a word can do especially if misused!

      I started thinking what is an “issue” with the Lord and why.  I came up with a few you probably could jot down in five minutes but, let me share mine.

1. Unanswered prayer as we expected and even demanded.

2. A loss of something we believe and feel necessary i.e. health, job, a loved one etc.

3. Broken hopes, dreams, unmet desires and needs, singlehood, divorce, and things in this vein.

4. Past sins we seem to carry with us even after we are forgiven.

5. Obstacles in reaching a righteous goal; blockades that weaken our hope and determination.

6. Poverty.

7. Deception, abandonment, loneliness, any health disorder.

8. Anger, with Him, ourselves and others, life as a whole.

9. Deviating children, family and loved ones.

10. Despair, discouragement and fears.

        These are but scratching the surface. Going over this simplistic list some of the why’s are crystal clear for me.  Naturally, we are not meant to or required or asked to have our hands on the wheel so to contro everything in lifel. However friends, to ALL of the above mentioned we can either act upon or react on  There are why’s that are honestly irrelevant in my book of proverbs. For one example this one really got my craw! “Why couldn’t I be #1 today at work! Was that too much to ask?” I could’ve replied:”It is what it is!”  But, that, to me, sounds not only like a lame excuse but a cop out from taking action of some sort and resembling a spirit of acceptance when it’s really  discouragement and apathy you’re feeling and exemplifying.

Are we blaming God or/and life about something or another?

Many times there are why’s that we bring with our behavioral patterns that have absolutely nothing to do with God. Most of these are rooted in our never taking the time to study out the ISSUE. We'd rather sit in our easy chair and rely on  Ignorance, Laziness, Disobedience, Faithlessness, Impatience, Hard-Heartedness, Pride, Resentment, Ingratitude, an unforgiving and Deaf spirit. Poor Self-dignity and Self-integrity.  I have to admit that too many of what we call” issues” with the Lord begin with us, our choices, or have to do with the inevitable interaction and effects of another’s decisions or lack of decisiveness that mar us. 

    I just have to be a little sarcastic here and use Dr. Phil’s coined question: “So, how’s it working for you?” Have you seen any major benefits, strides or changes in playing the blame game?  We all understand that God’s thoughts and ways are not like ours, hhmmm, I wonder why!  Uummm, could it be that we are still fumbling children taking baby steps? We can’t see the whole picture?  We are basically selfish?  Maybe we just don’t want to go the extra mile? One of my favorite is, we think for God and put words in His mouth.  Good grief! I’m ashamed of saying I’ve done this with my sweet Lord.  How long-suffering He is!

Do you have some crystal ball to read the future? The other day a friend of mine confessed she’d never have certain things in her life again due to her debilitating disease. I sat here and, somewhat brokenhearted for her, wanting to help her grasp on to hope, I went back into my memory bank and came up with things I never thought would happen to me. Here’s my list:

I said, “I used to think that way, too often! Until the Spirit said "take inventory of your life." So, I did. I asked myself twelve questions about things I'd never thought I receive on this earth. !. Did you ever think you'd ever get to the temple ? 2. Did you ever think you'd do your grandmother's temple work? 3. Did you ever think your grandfather would become a member? 5. Did you ever think you'd visit Utah 3 times and spend a month in Colorado ? 6. Did you ever think you'd be live past twenty? 7. Did you ever think your sisters would be by your side beyond their destined age of fourteen? 8. Did you ever think you'd meet Elder Maxwell? 9. Did you ever think you'd have a boyfriend? 10; Did you ever think you'd be kissed? 11. Did you ever think I'd have a caregiver for 18 yrs. and have her kids be as my own? 12. Did you ever think you'd finish your studies? They were all NO's due to my ignorance, impatience, doubts, lack of experiences and association with the Spirit. I learned never to think the word “never” because God alone has my future, faith, prayers and best interest already prepared And, has made many provisions for mistakes and sins of omission and commision. So, please dear friend, don't say that you never will have--this or that unless it's divine revelation ok?”

Maybe we should have an “issue” with ourselves and take the time to examine it, to take responsibility over, take it to Heavenly Father as He’s asked.  Perhaps we need to take an inventory of things we never thought would be ours and see how beautifully and miraculously things have actually turned out and, thank Him.

I suggest we stop the blame game, behaving as victims instead of survivors, spoiled brats and perfecting ourselves in making flimsy excuses.  Let’s seek to “Wait upon the Lord,” to dust off our box of memories and recount the innumerable offspring’s of smiles and warm embraces sent from heaven’s court after the storms. Let’s seek to reach deeper within and forsake some hurtful habits, let go of the past wounds and trust them to the Gentle Healer.  Covet a gift of the Spirit such as patience and understanding. Let us take God face value starting today!  Asking for the desires of our heart is tops on my list, but lately I’m learning to say as often as I can, “Let thy perfect will be done Father.”  What unspeakable peace this calming has been to my soul!

I’m no General Authority, I am definitely a sinner and a child in so many ways, yet, as it is with us all, experience teaches and carefully molds us—hopefully for eternal growth and vision, immovable faith and peace that’s Only His to give.  Got an issue? He has the perfect solution! A healing just meant for you without any judgment! I assure you.

"Believe your beliefs and doubt your doubts; do not make the mistake of doubting your beliefs and believing your doubts." Charles F. Deems

Matthew 9

20¶And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an ^aissue of ^bblood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

 21For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be ^awhole.

 22But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee ^awhole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

PS And, by the way, have you ever read anywhere that Jesus had or has an issue with what He did for us?  A complaint, whine or saying, "BECAUSE of you I had to sweat extra blood!"?  What nobility!  This is the kind of people we OUGHT to be.