By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Life never seems to go the way we imagine it will in our heads. You have had one of these types of days:
My plan was to take a back road to the revival meeting I was leading. The church was located a half hour from the house, so I figured if I left an hour early then I would make it to the church early enough to meet with the pastor for a brief time of fellowship.
Everything worked perfectly, until time to leave the house for the half-hour drive to the church. I spilled tea on my suit; I changed and ran out to the car. Taking the back road would take a few minutes off the drive, but I still was worried. Leaving the town limits, I met a city police officer (who I thought was a church member). He turned around and pulled me over. It was not a church member, but he did know me and let me go with a warning. Still concerned about the time but in my mind it was worked out and I would be pushed to get to the church by the time the service started. I rounded a curve in the road, heard a pop, felt the steering wheel pulling me toward the right. Slowing down the unmistakable sound of a flat tire registered. I pulled into a safe place and began to cry…
Many of us have believed the lie that Christians will not have troubles or problems. Some have this thought process that once you are saved you will be healthy and wealthy. You will never have bad days, because you are now in some spiritual bumble that allows only the good and wonderful things of life in, while keeping the evil, sad, struggles at bay.
But Jesus tells us plainly in John 16:
“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (KJV)
Yes, we will have problems, troubles, pains, and sorrows. The question is what we do when we face the obstacles.
In Philippians 2 Paul writes that we are to have the same mindset of Jesus.
“If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love, sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal. Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not ⌊only⌋ for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus…” Philippians 2:1-5 (HCSB)
Jesus’ life was filled with difficulty. Jesus had ever reason to complain but never did. There was never grumbling or moaning coming from his lips. And even though Jesus was divine in nature He never used His equality with God to His advantage, no He humbled Himself and took the position of a servant.
Think of the things we complain about.
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Why are they always messing with my schedule?
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Why can’t they get my order right?
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Why didn’t they give me my promotion?
Do you see the “I” problem in the statements we make? Our pride is at the root of some of our complaints.
Yet, take note of the attitude of Jesus. Jesus did not deserve the pain He endured, yet He never protested.
That kind of behavior gets someone’s attention. Can you imagine if we did the same? We would 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 toward our Father.
Until next time…