I always find my thinking challenged when I talk to my friend, Michele.We were discussing suffering. Hard things - not breaking a nail or Starbucks running out of your favorite flavor. I'm talking about hard things. Miscarriage, long term illness, loss of a child, divorce, abuse, death...
Life is hard. I strongly dislike the teaching that Christianity is easy. God may have called you to suffer. You probably aren't going to be rich because you gave enough money to your favorite preacher last year.
And who's to say God hasn't blessed those who live in a shack in the unsafest part of town? Blessings look different to each of us. The two car garage in your suburban neighborhood is a blessing, but those who don't have it are just as blessed.
Holding tight to the promises of God while walking through deep trials is being blessed! Grieving the loss of a parent, yet knowing God is sovereign over all things is a blessing. Drinking dirty water because that's all your community can find is a blessing. Holding church meetings in the dark to keep from being discovered is a blessing.
So these people who "#blessed" every time they get a large latte need to remember more about what a blessing truly is.
Now excuse me, my latte is getting cold.
2 comments:
Thanks, Lori, very timely. Jeff and I have been going through what seems like trial after trial since the fall. Yet God has been so good to remind us of His many blessings to us, the greatest of which is His gracious gift of salvation. And many smaller but meaningful blessings have come along the way: encouragements, friendships, financial gifts, a temporary home to live in, precious time with family -- all evidence of His providential care for us, even as the trials continue. Blessings abound, and we're in a much better position to receive them with gratitude when they come in the midst of trials.
I know that the blessings of God are so much sweeter after a serious trial. I also don't want to diminish the blessings of God on the lives of those who haven't yet faced real hardships. We live in a privileged society and often forget what God's blessings may look like to others.
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