2 Corinthians 4:17

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

Have you ever heard the saying, “Let the baby cry, it develops their lungs”?  Well, actually that’s not true.  There is no scientific evidence that crying develops a babies lungs.  Actually that can cause despondency in a child.  This is especially true for the first three months.

It is believed that this “old wives tale” developed because in the olden days there was manual labor that needed to be accomplished.  Some mothers were constantly nursing and attending to their babies.  For the sake of the tribe, they needed to put their babies down and get something done.

Most old wives tales have a glimmer of truth though.  After the first three months, as the child develops, slowly but surely a parent must wean the child and prepare them for the rigors of life.  While it won’t develop the lungs per say, consistent “spoiling” will delay or impede their spiritual, social and physical development.

This is also why God does not immediately answer all our prayers in the affirmative.  It’s important for us to not remain “babies” in understanding.  We should remain childlike in our disposition but not our understanding. Part of adulthood is understanding that everything is not about us.  We don’t or shouldn’t eat every time we are slightly hungry.  It’s alright if we are a little cold or a little warm.  God will not hug us the second we get a little uncomfortable.

God has a plan to develop us all and to lead us to adulthood.  His decisions of whether to bless us are not based upon our “feelings” or “cries”.  They are based upon what’s best.  So the next time you cry out to God, remember He hears your cries.  He will pick you up and comfort you.  He will feed you.  He will CHANGE you.  He will anoint you with oil. (and baby lotion)  He will do all of this…when the time is right.  He is preparing you for an ABUNDANT LIFE.

Disclaimer:  I thought about posting the references for the "child development" portions of this devotional.  I know that some mom will email me arguing about the details of child rearing.  Please don't allow the analogy to shake you off the greater spiritual truth.

Psalms 22:3-5

3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.

4 Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them.

5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.

KJV

Psalms 27:7

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.

KJV

Psalms 40:1-4

40 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

KJV

Romans 5:3-4

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

KJV

Romans 8:28

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

KJV