Stop Talking to Me

by Donna Nabors @DonnaNabors1

“Stop talking to me.” This is a sentence I hear from my husband at least once a week.

Let me explain. We have a great marriage, full of humor. My husband’s quick wit tends to characterize our interactions. Invariably, he will say something that leaves a wide-open spot for a witty comeback. So I give one right back to him, and then he often says, “Stop talking to me.”

An example of our banter would go something like this: I complain, “My tendinitis is acting up, and my feet hurt tonight.” Without missing a beat, my husband quips, “It’s because of the sin in your life.”

My automatic response, “He sleeps next to me every night.”

After a brief pause, he retorts, “Don’t talk to me.”

Same thing with other platitudes, like: “God is teaching you patience.”

My response: “That’s why He gave me you.”

Then, “Stop talking to me.”

Thankfully God never says, “Stop talking to me” even in jest. But I think sometimes He does shake His head at us, and maybe even sees the humor, if not sadness, in our responses to life.

The Israelites were an unfaithful bunch. God delivered them from Egypt. He parted the Red Sea, He provided water and food. He met their every need. Yet when they spied out the land He had promised them, they focused on the negative. They confirmed a land flowing with milk and honey; yet in their eyes, the possible blessings were outweighed by the size of the people and cities indwelling the land. Instead of trusting God, they doubted in His ability to handle the giants.

“We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. However… (Numbers 13:27-28 ESV).

So, they were left to wander in the desert for 40 years. They tested God’s patience over and over. But Moses stood in the gap and petitioned God on their behalf. He listened to God’s voice.

Thousands of years later, not much has changed. The Israelites might have earned a bad rap for not trusting God, but they have nothing on me.

I don’t even face real giants. I live in a nice home, drive a good car, and never worry where my next meal is coming from. I have a great job, my own room at home to write, and a husband supportive of my writing. However, I complain I don’t have time to write because of my day job. I complain because my writing room is upstairs, and I’m too tired to climb those stairs after work.

While both are sometimes true, the reality is God has abundantly provided for my writing needs. Like the Israelites, I let my complaints outweigh my blessings. My complaints and excuses are another way of saying to God, “Stop talking to me,” when what I need more than anything is to hear His voice.

It’s tantamount to telling God I don’t trust Him.

Thankfully He forgives and restores me when my trust falters. I am so thankful for His faithfulness, even when I am not faithful to Him. I am thankful for Jesus Christ, who paid the price for my sin. And for the Holy Spirit, Who stands in the gap, petitioning for me. He reminds me of my blessings and calls me to listen.

Lord, please don’t stop talking to me. I need you.

“Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10 NASB

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Stop Talking to Me – thoughts on #GodsLove from @DonnaNabors1 on @AriseDailyDevo (Click to Tweet)

About the author: Donna Nabors is a wife, mom, grandma, and follower of Christ focused on filling her spiritual jewelry box. Through disappointments in life, she shares that the treasures from God’s Word are where we find the strength to stand. Donna lives in Texas, and her hobbies include antique shopping and organizing. She often jokes that her life is in an Excel spreadsheet. You can find more about Donna at donnanabors.com.

Donna’s book: Pearls: 5 Essentials for a Richer Prayer Life, outlines five elements that can lead to a richer prayer life. It focuses on how Jesus’ words, “It is better to give than to receive,” relate to prayer. Pearls demonstrates how giving to God through prayer draws you into a closer relationship with Him.