Well, it seems judging from blogs and conversations, some of my friends haven't had the best week. I haven't either for that matter. But, I thought it may help some of you who aren't having the greatest week to see a little perspective on how good our bad weeks really are.
A Christian brother of ours, Nasir, was severely beaten in India for drinking from a water cup. Extremist Muslims accused him of polluting the water and beat him to the point that he was unconscious, had a dislocated shoulder and a collarbone broken in two places. Please join me in praying for Nasir and the countless other Christians who face daily persecution simply for believing in Jesus Christ.
I think we tend to take certain things for granted here. I know I don't usually think about how thankful I am to have my basic needs met, be able to worship freely, have a loving family and good friends, etc. It's a lot easier to think about what I don't have or how things could be better. But, God calls us to have a thankful attitude, regardless of circumstances. So, hopefully this may serve as an encouragement and perspective check to someone out there.
-JRO
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4 comments:
You're right I am so greatful that I have a home and a family and all the material blessings and freedoms that I do have. I still do have sadness though and disappointment. Thankfully God provides for all of us and I rebound very quickly (another one of His many blessings). I hope Nasir can find a community to help affirm him, but even if he is alone, I trust that God is and will continue to be with Him.
I agree Jamie, and thank you for the perspective, I assume I'm in the group that had the bad week and I understand now, looking back when I feel better that I was being selfish in many ways. While I have every right to be disappointed and upset I dont have the right to forget my thankfulness and all that God has given me. It seems when we as modern Christians get upset, we forget all that we have learned and adopt the "Woe is me" attitude, I'm guilty of this and its good to look around and see what it is that God has given me and rejoice in that, for He is good ALL the time. Even when things dont seem so lovely.
Jamie, that's really true what you say- we do tend to get so caught up in our disappointment/anger or whatever that we overlook God's grace. Before Christ, I was a wretched, sinful man deserving eternal punishment in Hell. It's only because of God's grace that I can know Him and have the hope of eternal life with Him. Even in the worst situation we can encounter, we're still rich in Him. I shared a passage along these lines last week at 20something- Habakkuk 3:17-18. Very challenging and encouraging.
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