"How Are You?" - Lenten Devotional 2

Often when someone asks me, "How are you?" I reply, "No complaints. Nobody wants to hear that anyway."  I could complain and give a long laundry list of my problems, aches/pains, disappointments, etc. However, I choose to be more positive and not focus on the negative stress. In reality, nobody wants to hear. Except God.

We need to give it all to Him. If we can go to God daily with our joys and our struggles, He promises to hear us and take care of us. This is not to say we shouldn't share each other's burdens, but if we take them to The Lord first and foremost then He will send the help we need. Just airing our problems to the world every time we are asked a simple "how are you?" is not the way. 

When all that comes from our mouths in our words, or our fingertips in our posts, is negative and depressing, many will begin to turn a deaf ear or blind eye to it. Taking it to God and laying our burdens at the feet of Christ our King should be first. Then He will ease our pain, relieve our troubles, and send us the rest our hearts so desire. 

Psalm 34

1 I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.2I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are discouraged take heart.3Come, let us tell of the LORD's greatness; let us exalt his name together.4I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me, freeing me from all my fears.5Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.6I cried out to the LORD in my suffering, and he heard me. He set me free from all my fears.7For the angel of the LORD guards all who fear him, and he rescues them.8Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who trust in him!9Let the LORD's people show him reverence, for those who honor him will have all they need.10Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will never lack any good thing.11Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD.12Do any of you want to live a life that is long and good?13Then watch your tongue! Keep your lips from telling lies!14Turn away from evil and do good. Work hard at living in peace with others.15The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.16But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.17The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.18The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.19The righteous face many troubles, but the LORD rescues them from each and every one.20For the LORD protects them from harm -- not one of their bones will be broken!21Calamity will surely overtake the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.22But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. Everyone who trusts in him will be freely pardoned.
I don't always withhold my troubles, but I don't spill them at every given moment either to anyone who asks. As we teach our children, there is a time and place to speak, and share our burdens. The time is now and the place is in the midst of prayer to The Almighty God. Give it to Him and wait for Him to send help.