Temper Tantrums

Philippians 4:11b: For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content.

I took my two year old daughter to the zoo a few weeks ago. Before our trip, I mentioned that she would get to see zebras so she that she would have something to look forward to. Her excitement built as we drove and she asked me every so often, “Are we going to see the zebras?” “Yes,” I answered, “we’re going to see the zebras.” Upon entering the zoo, she asked me, “Are we going to see the zebras Momma?” “Yes,” I told her, we’ll see them, but we’ll see other animals along the way too.” The first animals we approached were the grizzly bears. My daughter was initially upset because her focus was on getting to the zebras. As she concentrated on the bears, however, her excitement grew. She growled at them as they lazed near the water. She stared intently at them and made pawing motions every time they changed position. She was having a blast. When it was time to move on, I attempted to put her into the stroller so we could go. She, however, threw herself down on the ground, kicking and screaming in protest. I finally got her seated and as we left the bear cage she asked, “Are we going to see the zebras Mommy?” “Yes,” I reassured her, “but we’re going to see other animals along the way too.” The next animals we approached were the elephants. Once again, my daughter was upset that we weren’t at the zebra cage. I pointed out the elephants’ trunks and the way they threw dust onto the backs to keep themselves cool. Eventually, her excitement began to build and she pretended she had a trunk and imitated the trumpet-like sounds of the elephant’s call. When it was time to leave to go on to the next area – well you can predict what happened here – yes, she threw yet another temper tantrum – this one more violent than the previous one. I again had to get her seated so we could move on to the next animal. “Don’t you want to see the zebras?” I asked her. “Well, we have to keep moving if we want to see them.” This happened two more times as we visited the giraffes and the kangaroos until we finally made our way to the zebras. “Zebras, Zebras!” my daughter exclaimed ecstatically. She marveled at their black and white stripes, the way they ate grass, and at the baby zebra sleeping under the shade of a tree. We’d finally made it to see her beloved zebras and when it was time to go home, she was happy and satisfied with the trip.

On my way home, God pointed out that there are times when I throw temper tantrums just like my daughter. “God, why did you tell me this was going to happen in my life and it hasn’t yet?” “God, why do others have the things I want and You haven’t blessed me with those things yet?” “God, why am I struggling when it seems others around me aren’t?”

There are thousands of promises from God in His Word. As a Christian, it can be difficult to read those promises that haven’t come to fruition yet. Just like my daughter who was given a promise before it came to pass, we’ve been given promises from God as a glimpse into what will be. We must be willing to praise God for what will be while enjoying where we are in the here and now.

The danger of throwing temper tantrums is that while you are on the ground thrashing around complaining about what you don’t have, you’re not able to enjoy what God has blessed you with presently. Be careful not to miss out on the beauty of your present blessings.

What in your life has caused you to throw temper tantrums with God? How can you turn that complaint into praise?