I have two friends that I have talked to in the past week that, though their situations are similar, their attitudes are very different. Both have husbands that are out of work. Both wives are out of work. Both have children. One has a five year old and the other has one that is 20+ that are living at home. Both are struggling financially. But most of all, both are Christians. One is a new Christian and the other is a "mature" Christian. That, however, is where the likenesses stop.
The older Christian has developed the root of bitterness talked about in Hebrew 12: 15, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you and thereby many be defiled." I have not minded letting her "vent" on me these past months, but there comes a time to count your blessings and move on. I understand her anger and some of her resentments, but Ephesians 4: 31 states," Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." For months, I have listened to this wonderful, kind Christian lady spew her anger and hateful words to me. There is no hint of forgiveness in any of them. Just resentment and anger. I love her with all my heart and she is my best friend, but honestly, I don't know how much more of this negativity I can take. At this moment, she seems to lack faith to carry her through these circumstances that the Bible says are "temporary."
On the other hand, my brand spanking new Christian friend at church has a whole different attitude. She sees blessings at every turn. She just got a job, but it doesn't start until August. Is she angry that it couldn't start earlier? No, she stands up in church and offers praise that God has provided a job. Is she angry with her husband because he can't find anything but minimum wage, part-time work? No, she is grateful there is food on the table. Is she angry when anyone offers her help. be it family or friend? No, she thanks God for providing for her and her family. She believes in the words of Jeremiah 29: 11ff, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an unexpected end. Then shall ye call upon Me and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." In a word, she is willing to "Let go and let God." This young lady that has been a Christian for less than a year, can find the faith to believe that God is going to take care of everything like He said in His word.
Sometimes we "mature" Christians need to take a lesson from the babes in Christ. We need to recapture the intensity of our faith instead of losing our first love or even worse, blaming Him for all that is happening.
I am in prayer for both my friends. One that she will regain her faith in God and the other that she will continue in the faith and comfort that she has found in her Heavenly Father that has said that He will hide us beneath His wings.
I understand now more than ever before that I am going to make a choice daily. Will I choose to be bitter about circumstances in my life that will soon pass away or will I begin and end each day praising God for all His blessings to me whether they are large or small? All believers make that same choice every day. I wonder what would happen to our testimony if we chose blessings? Even worse, what would happen to our testimony of Christ if we chose bitterness? It is definitely something to think about.
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