So
there I was sitting on the edge of the pit of despair, just dangling my
legs into it, when a voice inside me said - "Hey you! What are you
doing there looking so glum? What have you got to be glum about?" So it
got me thinking! Yes, why be so glum, the weather may be naff outside
but:
I have a loving family - many people in this world have no family and are lonely
I have a husband who doesn't beat me or put me down or abuse our
children - many many families are broken and bruised in this country
alone - many more globally
I have friends - many people in this world have no friends either and are lonely
I have a house - millions upon millions of people in this world have no place to call home
I have a car - millions of people in this world can hardly afford basics things
I have clothes - millions of people in this world only have the clothes on their back
I have money in my bank account - some people don't even have bank accounts!
I have a job - millions in this country alone are unemployed! How many
are without a job globally? Or how many are in work but the pay and
conditions are naff?
I have clean water flowing from my taps - there are many drought ridden countries desperate for the rain we are getting!
I'm not being tortured for being a Christian - many millions of
Christians are being persecuted, tortured, are alienated by their
families, are beaten by those who claim to love them, have lost
everything for the sake of the gospel
I have a great and awesome God
who sent His Son to die for me at Calvary and who has promised a future
hope in glory which far and above surpasses ALL that this world could
offer!
So as I sat there pondering these things, I felt the
gloomy cloud which had settled above my head lift - I thought about
those people who have nothing, I thought about those Christians (my
brothers and sisters in Christ) who are being persecuted for what they
believe and yet they still rejoice in the Lord because He is more to
them than anything else in this sin-ridden world! They know that one day
they are going to a better place!
1 Corinthians 4: 10 We are
fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but
you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the
present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and
beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being
reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we
entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of
all things until now.
Romans 5:Therefore, having been
justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus
Christ, 2 through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in
which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only
that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation
produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character,
hope. 5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because
the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of
corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that,
but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption
of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.26 Likewise
the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we
should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession
for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Psalm 42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.
