Life Lessons Learned While Waiting at an Airport in Dubai
A devotional by Kerry Sue Teravskis
“Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
—Philippians 2:14 (NLT)
We had been in a Dubai airport for hours.
It was in the middle of the night local time, but for us, who knew what time it really was for our bodies? We had been traveling for over 24 hours, and we had many hours more to go. Our meals were lackluster, and we had run out of our favorite packed snacks. We had food, but only of those for desperate times variety. We weren’t there. Yet.
Because we were part of a larger team, keeping and maintaining a good attitude was paramount. Not that it really should matter, as we should live our lives to reflect Jesus Christ no matter the circumstance every day. So, we played games, told stories, walked, and waited. And tried very hard not to complain.
Why do we fall so easily to this pastime of complaining? It seems to be one thing we all have in common: We all tend to complain. When the Apostle Paul wrote this verse in Philippians 2:14, he was in jail, chained to a prison guard and had the barest of basic necessities. Yet, he had the audacity to write to the Philippians about not complaining. Didn’t he know what the national pastime was? Didn’t Paul have plenty of things to complain about at that time? Wasn’t he wrongfully jailed?
The Bible says we are to do all things without complaining, even if it is for someone else. Especially so. If we are not complaining, then how are we to spend our time, our thought life, our energy? The Bible says in James 1:2 (NKJV) that we are to count. James wrote in that verse, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” What, exactly, are we to count? All things, and with joy!
Everything we do can be considered in this and it can be counted with joy without complaining. How can we do this, realistically? Play the Glad Game, like Pollyanna? Yes, if it helps you get on the right track. Maybe counting to three when the temptation to complain gets too, well, tempting? Or, simply, just stop.
Our Heavenly Father (God) says in Psalm 46:10 (NKJV), “Be still and know that I am God.” This means we are to pause, be still and know. We are to wait and spend our time waiting, learning about the Father, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
It is not being still to do. It is about being still to know and grow closer to our Heavenly Father. When we are in this posture, complaining has no place in our hearts, souls, minds and strengths. It is a change of what we deem important. It is a move to honor God in all we say and do.
In the Dubai airport, we had a choice: wait patiently, or grumble and complain. Neither one advanced the process or made time move faster. But only one honored God and had a faithful witness to His working in our lives.
Are you in a Dubai airport of sorts? Have you been traveling for hours on end, jet lagged, and ready to be done (really done) with whatever it is you are facing? Are you done with complaining and willing to accept, be still, and begin counting joy in all things?
It may not be easy, but we are not in this alone. God is with us.
Let’s Pray: Father God, I sincerely repent of my complaining heart and attitude. I can see how it does not honor You, nor does it give a faithful witness to those around me who are watching. Forgive me, Lord. Help me to see the joy and count it. Help me to be still and know that You are God because I do want to know You more. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.
Song of Reflection: “Be Still and Know” by Steven Curtis Chapman. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Kerry Sue’s life is very full because she is a wife and Marmee to three adult children—two of whom are married—and a new grandson.
Kerry Sue met her husband in college and served on the mission field with him for a few years before settling down back in the United States of America to raise their family.
Kerry Sue’s family was a homeschooling family for 20 years and they enjoyed it immensely. For the last 24 years they have lived on a small farm in Northern California where they have raised many farm animals, along with growing and preserving their food. Kerry Sue’s family farm has been a great source of enjoyment and a place to host many family gatherings. She maintains an open-door policy for dear friends—old and new.
Following and serving Jesus Christ is an integral part of Kerry Sue’s life as well as her family’s. Whether it’s singing in the church choir, teaching children or leading and lecturing at a women’s Bible study, Kerry Sue loves to demonstrate her love for Jesus by giving to Him in service. She’s been a blogger for more than eight years, a Bible study writer for four years, and a devotional writer for more than two years.
Kerry Sue feels led to write about finding God’s Sovereignty in our suffering because of her own ongoing journey of more than four years, with the hope to encourage others.
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Connect with Kerry:
Blog: https://www.sovereignblog.com/home
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerry.teravskis
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ksteravskis/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sovereignblog
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