Self Inflicted Wounds

          According to Hall of Fame baseball player, Yogi Berra, “You can observe a lot just by watching.” Step back from the day-to-day and watch people. We’re a species of complainers. In summer, it’s too hot. In winter, it’s too cold. Liberals are too liberal; conservatives are too conservative; no one is happy. The people passing by not only believe the world is unfair, they’re sure everyone’s unfairly picking on them. The sad part is that these same people are perplexed that there is not peace on earth and good will to men.

          We may take comfort in that we are born this way. The very first man and woman were given dominion over the entire planet and ruled from the paradise of Eden. To keep things running smoothly, God dropped by everyday to say hello.  But, there was trouble in paradise. Adam was unhappy with the arrangement. He was convinced God was holding out on him just because he was a man. Satan supplied the reason for God’s judgmental attitude. “For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

          Adam’s eyes were opened—to a new reality with a far less comfortable existence. He knew what it was to be good and after eating, he knew what it was to be evil. In fact, he was evil; a complaining; self-absorbed; self-righteous; rebellious evil. Solomon once said that there is nothing new under the sun. His statement is never truer than when we look at Man. However you count time; Man hasn’t changed. We may live longer, be more educated, and communicate faster, but we’re still the same old Adam. In the words of an old mentor of mine, there are people who “wouldn’t be happy with Jesus on a mule.” The writers of the gospels testify to the truth of this assessment.

          “What to do; what to do?”

          Jesus said the gate to salvation was narrow and few find it. That means a whole lot of people are just getting warmed up—they are going to be unhappy for eternity. Dissatisfaction is a self-inflicted wound. Railing against life, the weather and the universe does nothing to satisfy the nagging thorn in our soul. There is not enough success, money, fame or power to erase the void in Man. What did we lose in Eden that remains so hard to find?

The answer is joy and peace with God. Man will have no peace or joy; he will remain a complainer until he makes peace with God. Of the few who find the gateway to salvation; peace does not come automatically and contentment comes only with enduring trials, heartache, and sadness. There is one place in which Man may find peace. In His presence is fullness of joy. Practice being in the presence of God, it isn’t hard to do. Be still; be quiet; cease from fighting and He will come to you.

          “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”