Henryetta Free Lance
Login Subscribe Advertisers
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Obituaries
    • Lifestyle
    • Opinion
  • Sports
  • E-edition
  • Public Notices
  • Calendar
  • Archives
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Advertisers
    • Form Submission
    • About Us
    • News
      • Obituaries
      • Lifestyle
      • Opinion
    • Sports
    • E-edition
    • Public Notices
    • Calendar
    • Archives
    • Contact
      • Contact Us
      • Advertisers
      • Form Submission
      • About Us
Throw a Huge Tantrum
Columns & Opinion
December 12, 2025
Throw a Huge Tantrum

Simply kick and scream and pout until God makes everything good for you again.

Maybe that way of dealing with your problems seems like a good idea to you. After all, you have been told repeatedly all your life that He is a good and loving God, who always wants the best for you. So, it must stand to reason that if you let Him know in clear unmistakable terms that you are unhappy, He will have to fix what’s wrong. Right?

You can’t possibly win that showdown. In fact, it simply guarantees that He will be standing firmer on His position. Here’s why.

Yes, He is good and loving. But He is also wise and all-knowing. And He knows that if you continue living life as you have – self-centered, angry and hateful, or any other hurtful way, you will cause yourself to suffer all your life. And everyone who has to interact with you. Angry hurting people are blind and uncaring when it comes to everybody else.

I don’t know of anyone, including this writer, who realizes they need to change when everything is rosy in their life. That is why He allows us to hurt. That is why many times He will allow you to live in pain until you realize the changes He is trying to make in you. For your sake.

Kinda like the wise parents who refuse to give in to their toddler’s kicking and screaming tantrum on the floor at Walmart. Sure, it’s pretty embarrassing to be the adult in charge of a three-year-old who has decided that getting his favorite toy warrants a full blown, kick-a-hole-in-the floor screaming fit until you give in and put it in your basket. But a smart and caring adult will stand their ground and refuse to give in to manipulation. For the child’s sake.

Make no mistake, tantrums simply do not get you what you want, period. From God or other people. Yes, it might happen, short term. But that is only the result of you using manipulation. And the results of that kind of living never give you what you are truly needing. Because you have not had to make any changes inside. And therefore, you will find yourself wanting more and more. And having to throw more tantrums. And ending up losing relationships because of it. That is why tantrums cause you to lose more than you could ever gain.

You are better off trying to figure out what God is wanting from you. And letting Him make those changes He knows you are needing. Because learning to not throw tantrums is not the only part of learning to accept the painful parts of living. Allowing your Creator to shape you as He sees fit is another huge chunk in learning to function as a real adult.

Sure, complaining, griping and refusing to accept changes is a part of our human nature. Just not a smart part.

— Podcasts are available at Coffeetimecolumn.com. Send any responses to andybowman839@gmail.com.

A: Main
Municipal, bond issues on ballot Tuesday
February 6, 2026
Early voting for Okmulgee County residents wishing to cast ballots in the Feb. 10 Election continues through 6 p.m. at the Okmulgee County Courthouse.On Election Day, which is next Tuesday, Feb. 10, r...
this is a test
A Month of Love
A: Main
A Month of Love
February 6, 2026
As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Henryetta Chamber of Commerce is inviting residents and visitors alike to celebrate love in a unique and meaningful way - by taking part in a growing community tradi...
this is a test
A: Main
Commissioners weight county fairgrounds improvements
February 6, 2026
Okmulgee County Commissioners opened their Feb. 2 meeting with routine business, but the discussion quickly turned to long-term community investments - ranging from improvements at the county fairgrou...
this is a test
Anchor Glass facility hosts state, local officials
A: Main
Anchor Glass facility hosts state, local officials
February 6, 2026
The Anchor Glass Container manufacturing facility in Henryetta, which has been operating for almost 100 years and is home to one of the largest glass melting furnaces in the world, recently hosted a v...
this is a test
A: Main
OOCYS records review raises questions
February 6, 2026
In November 2025, The Okmulgee Times first reported on governance concerns surrounding the Okmulgee- Okfuskee County Youth Services (OOCYS) Board following the termination of Executive Director Dr. Sh...
this is a test
OCCJA Director responds during winter storm
A: Main
OCCJA Director responds during winter storm
February 6, 2026
During a recent winter storm impacting Okmulgee County, county officials and other volunteers were briefed by Okmulgee County Emergency Management as preparations were made to address hazardous condit...
this is a test

e-Edition
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Editor Picks
A: Main, News
Remembering Jerry Fink
February 6, 2026
The staff of the Eufaula Indian Journal, McIntosh County Democrat and Cookson Hills Publishing is mourning the loss of a colleague, mentor and friend following the passing of longtime editor Jerry Fin...
this is a test
A: Main, News
Henryettan pleads guilty to involuntary manslaughter
February 6, 2026
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Daeshaun Jared Ickle Cobretti Small, age 22, of Henryetta, entered a guilty plea to one count of a Superseding I...
this is a test
Barns Full, Futures Bright
A: Main, News
Barns Full, Futures Bright
February 6, 2026
It’s time once again for one of Okmulgee County’s most anticipated youth events. The 59th Annual Okmulgee County Spring Livestock Show, where Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and 4-H students p...
this is a test
A: Main, News
Morris Teddy Bear Toss a success
February 6, 2026
Morris Public Schools is expressing its heartfelt gratitude to the community following an overwhelming outpouring of support during the inaugural McKinley McGirt Memorial Teddy Bear Toss, held Friday ...
this is a test
Age doesn’t stop Don Cotton
A: Main, News
Age doesn’t stop Don Cotton
February 6, 2026
At 103 years old, VFW member of Post 539 Don Cotton of Henryetta still drives himself to the grocery store, walks on his own and recalls in great detail about his lifetime of memories during the Great...
this is a test
Facebook

HENRYETTA FREE-LANCE
208 E. Main Street
Henryetta, OK 74437

918.652.3311

This site complies with ADA requirements

© 2022 Henryetta Free-Lance

  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Accessibility Policy