Have you ever been in the presence of someone that completely humbled you? I’m not talking about someone famous or who the world would consider important. I’m talking about a person that puts your life in proper perspective, someone who kind of wakes you up and cause you to thank the Lord for the blessings you have.
I met such a person recently. He is a very happy man, someone that showed the joy of the Lord through his countenance. As we talked, he began to share with me portions of the trials he was experiencing. He told me of a son that was in prison, that another son had died in the last year, that his daughter’s husband had died a few months ago leaving her and seven children behind, and that he had recently been diagnosed with a terminal disease. Yet while I was listening to him, there wasn’t a hint of self pity or a “Woe is me” attitude. In fact, he had a smile on his face the whole time we spoke. I could only pray to the Lord and ask Him to help this man and his poor wife! I also asked the Lord to forgive me when I see my circumstances as overwhelming.
Colossians 1:10-12 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
The strength that we have at our disposal can overcome any circumstance that comes our way. The problem is, we are content to walk in our own strength most of the time, and when we face trials we are overcome by them and cannot glorify God in them.
May God help us to keep life in proper perspective and live in the strength that comes from the Lord. We then may be able to influence others by the joy we show in spite of our trials.