Ever heard the expression “First World Problems”? These are
frustrations and complaints only made by privileged people living in wealthy
countries. They would include things such as “My car’s heated seats are making
my back sweat!” or “I cracked the screen on my iPhone 5 and have to go back to
using my lame iPhone 4.” Along the same lines, a couple of summers ago, our air
conditioner went out. It was really hot INSIDE our house. The only possible
upside to this situation was that when we bought our air conditioner, we
shelled out a little extra for the extended protection agreement, so we knew we
wouldn’t have to pay for any repairs. Problem is we could ONLY use Sears to fix
it, and the earliest time they could get out there was one week from the day I
called. ONE WEEK. Seven days. An eternity.
On the first night of this disaster, our thermostat climbed
to 86 degrees. As I lay in bed, I began praying, as I always do at bedtime, and
I found myself praying for cooler weather - for a cancellation to move my
service appointment up a few days - for ANYTHING to make my life easier. And it
occurred to me - how often do I pray this selfish prayer?
We Christians like to remind each other that God cares about
the things that we care about. This may be true, but I think we may have warped
God’s feelings of care into believing that He wants our lives to be easy and
comfortable.
God never promised us an easy life. He promised His love,
His presence, His guidance - NOT a carefree existence. I believe that
wholeheartedly, and I remind my kids of it all the time. So here’s the kicker -
Why do so many of my prayers involve me asking God to make things easier or
more comfortable for me? Whether we’re upset about having no air conditioning
or a cracked $700 phone or other “First World Problems,” or if it’s something
that IS a crisis - something like Cancer, heartbreak or grief. How often do we
find ourselves asking God to make our lives easier?
I don’t think that’s God’s job.
He is our heavenly Father - our parent. In my role as a
mother, should I do my best to make sure things are as easy and comfortable for
my kids as possible? Heaven for-bid! What lazy, spoiled children I would raise
if that were my goal!
When Jesus models prayer, he doesn’t ask for God to make the
wind ease up so his feet won’t get quite so dusty. He asks for his daily bread
- He asks for enough. Even when faced with the very real crisis of an agonizing
death on the cross, after asking for the cup to pass from Him, Jesus quickly
adds the disclaimer, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” He doesn’t beg God
for a more comfortable end - because that’s not God’s job.
The next time you find yourself seeking God’s help in the
face of adversity - whether real or imagined - take a second to think about
what, exactly, you are praying for.
Alison Wellborn
Abilene, Texas
