I have a little boy in my class who loves to do puzzles and solve problems. Whenever he gets to problem solving—whether it be taking a lid off a jar or putting on his shoes—I like to watch him.
On this particular day, he was attempting to put together one of the harder puzzles. From the start, I knew he was going to have a problem. He dumped the four puzzle pieces on the floor, laid the puzzle base down upside down and then turned all the puzzle pieces right side up.
I watched as he tried to lay the pieces in the puzzle. At first he was fine, but about the third try at placing the same piece in the spot it should have gone, his face started to turn red.
“If you turn the puzzle the right way, your pieces will fit,” I advised him. He stared at me. “Look, the puzzle on the floor is upside down. Turn it.” He replied, “No!” And continued to try and fit the pieces into the puzzle. Not long after his red face had turned into a crying red face. (I had since moved on to other things.) I spoke to him and said, “When you would like my help, let me know.” He replied with some angry jibberish and slammed pieces down…whining and fighting even more with the puzzle.
About 10 minutes later he approached me. “Ahmee!” (He looked pitiful.) He held the puzzle in his hands. So, I asked if he wanted help; and he said, “Yes.”
In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free.
Psalm 118:5
Sometimes we trap ourselves in the problems that come our way. Pay attention to this verse…it says, “In my anguish I cried to the Lord….” Notice, it doesn’t say, “I whined to my friends, or I complained endlessly.”
The Lord is our Helper and, when we call to Him, He helps us. Thing is: you have to call! Just as my little boy had to come to me for help after he turned down my assistance, I believe that God tries to help us with His Word, but if we don’t read it, how will we know?
It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.
Psalm 118:8
There is nothing wrong with seeking wise counsel. In fact, your wise counsel should point you to the Word of God! Just remember, “You can make many plans but the Lord’s purpose will prevail” (Proverbs 19:21).
So, try to figure it out alone if you want. Be stubborn, but ultimately you are going to end where you should have started—The Word of God.
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Thank You, Lord, that Your guidance is always readily available to us. Your timing is perfect and Your Word is precious. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
