This is a question my oldest son has asked. And it’s an excellent question. We will explore this question today, but we will not answer the question for you: only you can do that.
“How you gonna act” when:
- Your brothers hate you?
- Your father-in-law cheats you?
- Your friend betrays you?
- Your nephew takes advantage of you?
- Your son is out to get you?
- Your friends forget you?
- You are executed for what you say?
I’m sure you can think of situations in your life that fit these descriptions. I wonder: if they are from the past – how did you act? If they are current – ask yourself how you are going to act?
We find all these situations (and many more) in the Bible. I encourage you to read the stories here – just click on the links attached to the story:
- Your brothers hate you? Sharing dreams didn’t help Joseph here.
- Your father-in-law cheats you? Jacob worked because of this.
- Your friend betrays you? Jesus dealt with this.
- Your nephew takes advantage of you? Abram ran into this.
- Your son is out to get you? David had to deal with this.
- Your friends forget you? More trouble for Joseph.
- You are executed for what you say and do? Paul really got stoned.
I often hear people report being a victim of such experiences. Experiences like these are the root of emotional pain and can provoke much anger and bitterness. Surely events such as these are extremely stressful.
I was a victim of happenings such as these. But God taught me that even though I had been through very stressful, painful experiences I did not need to be a victim. Through His Word and through spiritual mentors, God taught me that my attitude toward the event dictated whether or not I was a victim. No, it didn’t change the fact that I had experiences that caused emotional pain. But my attitude was able to lock me into being a victim – or propel me into healing. Remaining a victim increased my level of stress enough to make me physically, mentally and spiritually ill. Obeying God released me from the prison of my own making.
- Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ~
I learned that giving thanks opened the floodgates of healing for me – and I didn’t even need to feel grateful! No, through the act of obediently giving thanks to God, He changed my heart. Sometimes suddenly, sometimes gradually my heart became grateful. My obedience led to an attitude of gratitude.
I learned to give God thanks for things I loved, things I hated, things I believed were sent from satan himself. I have found that giving thanks is powerful spiritual warfare. It has taken me from the lonely pit of victimization (no one came to my pity parties), to my Hiding Place for comfort, renewal, healing and victory!
- You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. ~ Psalm 32:7 ~
- But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~ 1 Corinthians 15:57 ~
Won’t you join me? Rejoice! Pray!! Give Thanks!!!