Corona Devo 100

I believe I have a preschool teacher to thank for the wise and deep advice of: "You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."
That was an oft-repeated phrase to the children in the 4 year-old's class, and in many ways, I feel they taught those little kids the secret of life that year.

If we could just learn to accept what happens to us, without debating it/bargaining about it/whining about it, or worse--losing our temper and taking things into our own hands--life goes much more smoothly.  For us and for those around us.
You probably have a person that pops into your head when you think of someone throwing a fit because they did not get their own way.  That person did not learn this lesson at age 4, and when you grow up throwing a fit every time you don't like what you receive in life, well, that's a lot of fits. 

Naaman was an army commander for a pagan king during Old Testament times.  He had leprosy and he heard that there was prophet in Israel who could heal him. So, off he went.  In high hopes and with his horses and chariots loaded with money and gifts to give as thanks, he sought the prophet out.  And he found him!  And the prophet (Elisha) healed Naaman!  

Naaman said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.”  But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, whom I serve, I will not accept any gifts.” And though Naaman urged him to take the gift, Elisha refused. ~2 Kings 5:15-16   

Elisha healed Naaman in the name of the Lord, and he did not want any reward for it.  Serving the Lord was his reward.  But, Elisha had a servant named Gehazi that didn't think it was fair that this foreigner (Naaman) had come seeking healing, had gotten healed, and didn't have to make any payment for it.  So, Gehazi threw a fit.  

20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, the man of God, said to himself, “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts. As surely as the Lord lives, I will chase after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi set off after Naaman.  When Naaman saw Gehazi running after him, he climbed down from his chariot and went to meet him. “Is everything all right?” Naaman asked.  22 “Yes,” Gehazi said, “but my master has sent me to tell you that two young prophets from the hill country of Ephraim have just arrived. He would like 75 pounds of silver and two sets of clothing to give to them.”  23 “By all means, take twice as much silver,” Naaman insisted. He gave him two sets of clothing, tied up the money in two bags, and sent two of his servants to carry the gifts for Gehazi. 24 But when they arrived at the citadel, Gehazi took the gifts from the servants and sent the men back. Then he went and hid the gifts inside the house.  25 When he went in to his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”  “I haven’t been anywhere,” he replied.  26 But Elisha asked him, “Don’t you realize that I was there in spirit when Naaman stepped down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to receive money and clothing, olive groves and vineyards, sheep and cattle, and male and female servants? 27 Because you have done this, you and your descendants will suffer from Naaman’s leprosy forever.” When Gehazi left the room, he was covered with leprosy; his skin was white as snow.  ~2 Kings 5:20-27

Ouch, Gehazi.  That did not turn out how he thought it would.  

But how did Gehazi think it would turn out?  That he would steal all of this treasure and keep it hidden from his boss?  Did he feel justified in doing so because he thought he was "setting things straight"?  

The humbling thing is, we are Gehazi sometimes.  We feel slighted or offended or even just-plain-jealous when good things happen to other people, or when people are rewarded.  We work hard too.  We like recognition.  But..."You get what you get and you don't throw a fit."

I have been there...(and then wished I hadn't) when I take things into my own hands.  When I try to correct people or a situation verbally or even physically, like Gehazi.  And it always backfires.  

God is the one calling the shots in life, not us.  Elisha was using his God-given gifts to heal, and when we are doing what God wants us to in our lives, we don't need anything else to fill us.  He didn't want the gifts--he didn't need them--Elisha was fulfilled and satisfied in God.

The other point I am reminded of is that the Lord knows our hearts, our motives, and our actions.  He sees every selfish move we make.  He still loves us, but He also is not going to just turn his head and pretend He didn't see it.  A loving (and holy) Father can't.  To discipline correctly and effectively, we must be disciplined in love.  God loves us too much to leave us where we are.  I am hoping that I don't get struck with leprosy one day soon, but I also know in my heart that I couldn't say I don't deserve it.  We all have a little piece of Gehazi in us, but becoming more like Christ allows a bigger piece of us to live in peace, and to throw fewer fits.  

Just for today, Lord, please allow us to "get what we get and not throw a fit".

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com/

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