The Trials of Job!

"This day stinks!"  No, I am not saying this, but I hear it all the time!  I have a situation in life where hardly a day goes by that I don't hear this negative comment or that negative comment.  Frequently I ask this person, "Don't you have anything that makes you happy or that you are thankful for in life?"  Don't think that I am talking about Glenda, because she is thankful for me:)!

Lately, I have watched many of the comments on Facebook!  Again, some people are incredibly negative in many of their attitudes about life!  But I want to share an incredibly positive post that I read yesterday.  It is from my high school music teacher, Ruth Parks, who is in her mid-nineties!  It was so positive, and that is her total attitude toward life, that I posted back to her that when I grow up I want to be just like her!

Here is what she said from the assisted living home that she lives in.  "Yesterday was a day with extra nice things happening -Mildred Thompson's super apple pie, my very favorite pickles from Donna Augustyn, and good fresh fruit from Barb Hoyt. Then last evening got to go to a meeting with Dean Reeverts at the Bethel Baptist Church --good food, good music, good people. These are the memories you like to store up against times that AREN'T so good. I am thankful."  She is such an inspiration!

But then, that brings me to the subject of "me!"  One thing that I have found in my expertise on negative comments is that I can spot them a mile away.  I just can't spot them when they are right under my nose; that means when they come out of my own mouth!

For the last several days, I have been reading from the Bible book of Job!  Now if you want to hear some negativity, get in there and read!  I told Glenda this morning that I could feel really depressed when I get done reading it, if I didn't have inside information as to what is really going on.  Satan is tormenting the poor guy into total anguish and he doesn't see where it is coming from.  He is blaming God for all the bad stuff going on his life, while at the same time trying to defend God from his wife and friends!

I have some idea of what Job was feeling!  Years ago I went through a situation that was absolutely devastating!  Financially I almost lost the proverbial "shirt off my back!"  I prayed.  I begged.  I even tried bargaining with God; "If you save me from this, I will do such and such!"  Nothing worked and I ending up losing the business that I tried so hard to save.  I was, saying it mildly, angry with God!  In my mind, He had let me down big time!  I said some terrible things about him, to him and to anyone that would listen!  In my attitude toward life for several years after that, I don't think I started a day without thinking "This day stinks!"

But, over a period of time, God had a plan for me!  It didn't match my plans or any of my desires for myself.  But some things had to change and it was in God's plan to bring these changes into being.  Now, thirty years later, I can look back and see God's hand in every part of my life back then.  He was leading and carrying and sometimes shoving me through what would have been good, but not as good as what He wanted for me!  I have more than once asked for forgiveness for the attitude toward life that came from that time!  I see now that those changes that I fought so hard against were the best thing that could have happened to me!

If you are going through some rough times in life right now, don't get angry with God!  Make a conscious effort to spend more time looking for the blessings in life that you might be taking for granted.  Spend more time praising Him for who He is and thanking him for what you have.  Get very proactive in giving Him credit for what blessings that you have in life over complaining and condemning everything that happens right now!  There is a greater time coming for those who have hope in Jesus!  Praise him for that hope and for the promises He has given us in His Word!  Think about it!