How to handle the hurting

Last night I told someone that I have become way to pessimistic for my own liking because it’s been way to long since I’ve seen anything go right for me. It wasn’t 5 minutes after I said that when I got more bad news..lol. I just cannot help but to shake my head and wonder why. It’s hard to tell most of my fellow Christians this because they’ll tell me of Job, and give me scripture of faith, some even suggesting this is all happening to me because of sin or lack of faith. The one very valuable lesson I’ve learned from all of this is how to be there for someone who is going through a lot. It’s best summed up by a wonderful woman of God who became a Quadriplegic after a diving accident. She said that people told her she was now a quad because of lack of faith or sin in her life. Her answer was, “Sometimes people don’t want an answer to why they’re going through something, they just want comfort.” What a beautiful sentiment.

If you know someone who is going through a lot, don’t try to give them strength, give them love. One of the many things I love about Jesus is that He would always LIVE the scripture He quoted. He didn’t tell you to hang in there and walk away. He told you to hang in there and healed or helped you.

My apologies for rambling this morning,  just needed to get it off my chest…:) Today my thought is…The truly happy person is the one who can enjoy the scenery even when he must take a detour.

 

Philippians 2:4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Forget it!

Christians need to constantly look for the goal of maturity in Christ. Even the Apostle Paul knew that he had not attained the goal, so he pressed on to grow in Christ. A key to that growth is “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” Your past sins and grudges are covered and need to be put where they belong, in the past. Worldly accomplishments mean nothing. We are, “Heavenly citizens in training.” All that matters is walking with Jesus through life, allowing Him to prepare us for His Kingdom.

Philippians 3:12-16

New International Version (NIV)

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Whine, or lemonade? What do you do with the lemons you get in life?

Whenever we’re disappointed with our spot in our lives we should stop and think about a little girl Jamie. Jamie was trying out for a part in her school play. Her mother told her husband that she’d set her heart on being in it, although she didn’t think she’s get the part.

On the day the parts were handed out, her husband went with the mother to collect her after school. Jamie rushed up to her, eyes shining with pride and excitement.

“Guess what Mommy,” she shouted, and then said those words that should remain a lesson to us for a lifetime: “I’ve been chosen to clap and cheer!”

Sometimes we think we’ve been handed a lemon in life, when we have really been handed the ingredients for lemonade. I guess it’s all how you look at it.

Remember that God has chosen a certain path for us to take in this life, make the best of it by honoring His choice and path for you. God will not pour fresh, creative ideas and blessing into old attitudes. Have a glass of lemonade.

Philippians 4:11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.