By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Life never seems to go the way we imagine in our heads. Did any of you imagine the world we live in today? If so, then I have a counselor you need to see.
Really, when January 1 was celebrated ringing in the 2020 year, we were more inclined to think this is the year for us to see things clearly, instead of through lenses fogged over with a film of pandemic, storms, dead, sickness, sorrow, and full of troubles. A friend developed a theme for his church: VISION 2020. I am sure he did not have in mind what we have endured this year.
Seems this would be the time to sing the song:
“Gloom, despair, and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all
Gloom, despair, and agony on me” (Gloom, Despair and Agony on Me, by Buck Owens and Roy Clark)
Thanksgiving is here, and we are more prone to wait on the other shoe to fall than give thanks. Many have cancelled family get-togethers with fear of introducing the germ to family and friends. Everythnig is different and we keep looking back and saying, “Who dreamed up this nightmare?”
Remember, no matter how much time and energy we spend preparing ourselves for the day to day events, unforeseen circumstances will leave us frustrated. It was not supposed to happen this way!
Sadly, many of us have believed the lie of the enemy that as a Christian we will never have troubles. We have been told we will always be healthy, wealthy, and wise if we are Christians. We have been led to believe if we pray, believe and give then all of life will be easy.
Yet, Jesus told us, “…in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
We will face problems. We will have struggles. We will endure troubles. The rains come on the just and the unjust.
The question is what we do when we face the obstacles of life.
In Philippians 2, Paul writes that we are to have the same mindset of Jesus. Jesus’ life was a life full of difficulties, pain, sorrow, and anguish. He was cast out of towns, He was subjected to bitter conversations, He was treated with disdain, and hatred poured out on Him. Yet, Jesus never complained. Though He had every reason to do so He never complained.
Even though Jesus was divine in nature, He never used His equality with Go to His advantage. He could have called on His Father to rescue Him, He could have called on the angels to fight His battles, and He could have given up and walked away. Instead, He humbled Himself and took the position of a servant.
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:2-8 (KJV)
Keeping such a truth in mind, think about the things we complain about:
- Why are they always messing up MY schedule?
- Why can’t they ever get MY order right?
- Why didn’t they give ME My promotion?
Could pride be at the root of some of our complaints?
Jesus did not deserve the pain He endured, yet He never protested. It is truly such the type of attitude that gets attention. Can you imagine if we all did the same thing? We would truly stand out among our peers as “stars in the sky.” (Philippians 2:15)
Jesus came to bring people to His Father. When He left, He challenged us to do the same. As we choose to humble ourselves, taking on an attitude of gratitude instead of grumbling, we point people to Our Father.
Until next time…