Finding Joy through Grace Living
All too often we slip into “poor me” mode. You don’t get a parking spot near the door of the store when it’s raining. You got 30” of snow and you have to shovel because your snow blower isn’t working. You find out you owe $500 in taxes that you didn’t expect. You rush in the door hands full of packages to a ringing phone… and it’s a telemarketer!
Or, maybe it’s something more serious. Like you lost your job and the bills are piling up. Or a dear friend has been diagnosed with cancer. Even more devastating is the loss of a loved one – especially when it’s a child or a younger person.
It happens to all of us. We’re not special yet – some day, but not yet. As Ecclesiastes 9:11 says I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.
When you slip into the “poor me” mode, how do you respond?
Do you remember Philippians 4:4 and Rejoice in the Lord alway”?
Do you recall that Philippians 4:6 says to Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.? If you do, it will remind you that the very next verse says: And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Remember the song “Count Your Blessings”?
When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings; name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord has done.
My prayer for you is that you’ll sing it at the top of your voice!