Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! - Psalm 118:1 (NIV).
If dark clouds are gathering above two things can happen. One could see floods ahead, impassable roads and broken bridges everywhere. Fearful, one parent screams, “Get back in the house and sit still!” Another person though sees crops ripening and flowers blooming blessed by these rains. Hopeful, the parent smiles and tells the children to ready their hoes and scythe eager for a good harvest.
Life has these two sets of people. There is a certain Aunt who on hearing a nephew has applied to go to a certain top school frowns with a lecture, “No, you can’t go there!” And then there is that Uncle who on hearing a niece has applied to go to a certain school is quick to pat on her back and says, “Go for it!” Two people are looking at the same situation but with different attitudes.
A positive attitude can see stars above when darkness engulfs everywhere. A negative attitude will bemoan the fate of all and hear only shrills of agony the moment darkness takes over sunlight.
In the Christian life we also encounter with attitudes. Here is someone in perfect health, perhaps with a job, and family but seeing his progress against others is suddenly swallowed up with a negative attitude that whatever he does can’t amount to anything. What is killing him is comparison. Another person has his deal turned down but rather than descend into a pity party just takes a stock of all that he has achieved since, and more, the fact that he is alive and in good health, to smile ahead and wait for greater opportunities. He brightens when he remembers God’s word, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Every one of us needs a fresh dose of positive attitude for there is always a lot pushing against us, especially for Christ followers since they are up against a system counter to God’s laws. Next time, if you encounter a situation that makes you feel low, just go out and sing: “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 hath done!”
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, when I look around and see all you have done, I am so thankful, for am blessed indeed, and the future is bright because it is in you!
Related upcoming events
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02/05/2024 - 03/05/2024 All day“That is why for Christ’s sake I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor 12:10)
We all crave to be blessed in life. But was there a believer who was so blessed beyond any circumstances without experiencing some sort of discomfort, in one way or another! A person may apparently be blessed in every single way yet have one troubling matter that constantly drives him down to his knees.
The one mightily blessed with riches may have a family situation that leaves him ever on edge. Someone who seems to be at the height of his profession may be living with an ailment that keeps him ever on tentacles. The one blessed with abundant health might from time to time be dealing with financial woes.
Why do such troubling situations plague even believers? One explanation could be found in the Apostle Paul’s life. Called into ministry and endowed with many gifts, including amazing revelations from above, yet he had a matter that constantly drove him on his knees. “Therefore in order to keep me from being conceited, I was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger from Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor 12: 7).
Paul would often cry out to God to free him of this particularly troubling matter. But the Lord came back with, “My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor 12: 9).
The comfort of this lesson is that God is completely aware of whatever might be ever troubling us. Moreover, it could be purposely there, that we constantly place our faith in Him, other than relying on our strength and resources, especially as He blesses us in other uplifting ways.
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that whatever matter is constantly troubling me, I know it is for a purpose and you are in total control, to bless me even more, this I pray in Jesus’ name.
