Dark Chocolate is Negotiable

I am no expert on spiritual matters; I am merely a traveler on the journey to perfection in the sweet by and by.  I only know what I have learned and what I am learning as I walk this path.  As I walk with the Lord, and I seek to know Him better, I have come to understand a little something about myself. 

As a human being I am prone to falling back into a carnal nature.  I so quickly revert to being a fleshly creature that complains and gripes about the situations in which I find myself.  Many times I have read about the children of Israel and their grumbling and complaining and felt a little superior, but I find that I am so very much like them.  I very quickly forget what God has done for me, and I tend to face each new dilemma as though I must take care of it on my own. 

This seems to be the plight of humans in general.  We are created in God’s image, and He gave us many abilities and a mind for reasoning.  We are creatures who are accustomed to solving problems, because God has given us the ability to do and accomplish many things.  Because He created us with this nature, I can’t help but believe that God is aware that this is a stumbling block to us when it comes to trusting Him and giving Him complete control of our lives. 

It is interesting that God tells us in His Word that we must become as little children if we are to enter His kingdom.  As a teacher for more than 25 years, I have often been amazed and amused by the complete trust of a child.  A child will believe what you tell them.  They are vulnerable and gullible.  I have always felt a tremendous responsibility in dealing with children.  Those who are in authority over children have powerful influence over the minds of those children.  I believe that this is the reason for God’s judgment against those who misuse and abuse authority over children.  Matthew 18:6 states it very plainly.  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 

The trust of a child is complete and pure.  It is not polluted by the reasoning that so often keeps an adult from trusting.  In innocence a child will place complete and utter trust in the one who leads them.  As a child of God, I have been trying to develop a sense of complete trust in God as my father.  I have been brought up to believe God’s Word is true, and I have lived long enough to find that I can trust His Word.  Why is it, then, that sometimes I still doubt?  Sometimes I question God, and I wonder if He’s listening when I pray.  I only know that I constantly return to His Word for the answers, and I always come back to what He has done for me in the past.  If I have been able to trust Him with issues in the past, then I know that I can trust Him for the future.        

I have found that the only way that I can stay focused, and not get entangled in the circumstances around me, is for me to praise God.  Just like that little piece of chocolate helps me to get through my day, praising and worshiping God gets me through the circumstance.  

Now, this is not a new concept by any means.  In fact, it is one of the principles taught in God’s Word.  God desires our worship.  He created us for that very purpose.  David’s writings in the Psalms are filled with praise.  As a man after God’s own heart, his praise during all kinds of circumstances is recorded for us to use as an example.  I have found that this "praise principle" is vital to my well-being.  I tend to get sidetracked so easily by life’s cares.  Praise keeps me focused on the problem solver instead of the problem, on the Creator instead of the created, on the Giver of life instead of the cares of life.  

So, praising God and a piece of dark chocolate are on my agenda for any given day!  But if I have to do without one of them, the chocolate can wait.  Dark chocolate may be an option, but praise is an essential!