Could Your Problem Actually Be Your Provision?

My two-year-old son recently had thrush. He developed nasty sores in his mouth resulting in painful screams each time he tried to eat or drink. He stood in front of the pantry crying, “Hungry, hungry!” but as soon as a bite touched his tongue, he cried out in pain, “Hurt, hurt!” He opened his mouth really wide and ask me to kiss it. How I wished my kiss could make it all go away.

During this week of pain and tears, he was unable to take his pacifier (which he lovingly called “pap”). In the months prior, I’d wrestled with an exit strategy for his pap. I only allowed pap at naptime and bedtime, but he had begun to ask for it throughout the day. It was time to say farewell to pap.

I couldn’t bear the idea of my boy crying through naps and bedtime as I tried to break the pap habit. And now, here we were, in the middle of non-stop crying, with no desire on his part for his pap. At the close of day two, I realized my problem was actually my provision. We’d already endured two pap-free days. The hardest part of taking away his pacifier was over before I realized it.

When the thrush cleared several days later, he asked for his pap again. I told him it was gone. Those simple explanations work for the under two crowd. Just like that, he was done. No tricks or paci-fairies required. We started the week with thrush and ended the week pap-free.

The Pharisees saw Jesus as a political and religious problem. He met resistance from them in the temple and on the street. They made the Law the pinnacle of religion, while Jesus made love the ultimate goal. They chided Jesus for healing and forgiving sins. He pointed out their pride and greed.

Getting rid of Jesus began to consume the Jewish leaders’ thoughts. They decided to get rid of their problem by executing Jesus. They engaged in trickery and back door deals to make it happen.

While Jesus hung on the cross gasping for breath, the Jews walked by and mocked him, saying, “He saved others; he cannot save himself” (Matt. 27:42 ESV). They did not realize that he was, in fact, giving himself in order to save them. Their problem had become their provision, and they were oblivious.

We will face difficult circumstances. My son and I endured one very difficult week. Since then we have enjoyed months of contentment without a pap in sight. I would never choose for him to hurt, but I am thankful for the freedom we found during that hard week.

Could the problem you are facing today actually be your provision?

Kelly Smith is a small town girl who married a small town man 17 years ago. She has three energetic blessings, ages 1 to 11. Her favorite indulgences are coffee, reading, writing, and running. Kelly believes we are created for community and loves to find ways to connect with other women who are walking in the shadow of the cross. She blogs at mrsdisciple.com.