October 30, 2007
3:02 p.m.
By: Joshuah Ellis
The Yellow Pages are great! It is so easy to look things up that way and it doesn't matter what you need because it is all covered in one simple directory. If you need pizza, you can find a pizza parlor. If you need a doctor, a mechanic or a chiropractor, the contact information is all there in one place. All we need to know is what we need and who we need to talk to. The rest is practically done for us. It sounds so simple because it is. However, is this philosophy as simple when it is applied to spiritual needs and our ability/willingness to seek out the proper assistance? Many of us have had experiences, in our spiritual lives, when we have had trouble knowing who we should go to in order to solve a particular problem. However, we are truly blessed to have the Bible as a guide. By following the principles given to us by God we can have the correct answer to the question, ''who you gonna call?''
Anger and frustration are an unfortunate inevitability in our lives. It is certainly not a sin to be angered by something, but we should beware as anger can move us to sin (Ephesians 4:26). There are times, in all of our lives, when we just become irritated or angry at a certain situation. It is during these times of heightened emotional stress that it becomes easy to express that contempt verbally. So I ask, ''Who you gonna call when you are angry and have unkind things to say?'' The answer is simple--nobody. This principle is as simple as the saying, ''if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all,'' but is it also backed up by the Word of God. Paul exhorts the Ephesians to put all anger and evil speaking away from them (Ephesians 4:31). James even speaks of the importance of being slow to speak and slow to wrath (James 1:19). Frankly, speaking unkind words to or about other people is simply unprofitable and sinful (Ephesians 4:29).
There are also times when we, as the children of God, do not agree. Thankfully, we have a pattern that has been given to us by God that we may know how to handle such situations. Nevertheless, the question must be asked. ''Who you gonna call when you are offended by your brother?'' The Bible teaches what we should do, but many times, however, this is not what happens. I have observed that it is quite popular for people to state their grievances about the offending brother to everyone but the offending brother. This is sinful! Jesus is very clear in His instructions (Matthew 18:15-17). Don't complain about your brother or try to reason why he offended you to anyone other than him. If you are not going to do that, then keep quiet (Ephesians 4:29).
Let's face it, brethren. Sometimes we just need help. Unfortunately our society has attempted to train us to believe that the human race is supernaturally self sufficient, but that is not what God teaches (Philippians 4:13). Therefore, I ask, ''who you gonna call when you just need help?'' The answer is simple, but before we can see that, we need to admit to ourselves that we cannot always fix our own problems. We must first come to terms with the fact that we will need outside help. Once we do that, it becomes abundantly obvious that help is endless. Here on earth, we are so fortunate to always have a family with us. I am not speaking about our physical families, but our spiritual family who will gladly help us when the burdens of this life seem too heavy (Galatians 6:2). We are also fortunate enough to serve a God who has proved Himself to be faithful time and again (Matthew 7:7-1). Who better to call upon for help that our Heavenly Father.
Regardless of the connections that the title of this article may have with a popular 80's movie, it is severely important that we know who we're gonna call when we have problems in our spiritual lives and equally as important that we actually call upon the right person. When you think about it, it's as easy as using the Yellow Pages. All we have to do is follow the pattern that has been given to us in the New Testament and remember that when we are in doubt and don't know who to talk to, God is always there. God is always faithful.
