Think on These Things Thursday

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

John 9:1-5

1 ¶ And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.

2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind?

3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.

As I read this passage it struck me that so often when difficulties come our way, it is easy to get focused on the "whys" of our difficulties. However, this passage shows us that there are times that difficulties are put in someone's life so that God can be glorified. Here this gentleman had been blind for his whole life and he is an adult in the story (later in the passage the parents say he is of age). That is a long time to live with being blind. His trial wasn't for a few days or months or even years!

Instead of focusing our energy on the "why me", we need to focus our energy in finding ways to give God the glory for getting us through the trials. He has promised over and over to never leave us or forsake us, commanded us not to fear for He is with us, promised to give us the strength we need and promised to never give us more than we can handle--because He is there to help us! I think that God sometimes gives us trials so that when others ask how we are making it, we can say that God is getting us through because we certainly couldn't manage on our own!!!

Another point about this passage I wanted to make it that the disciples thought that this man or his parents had sinned. (It is a little funny that they thought it may have been the man, even though he had been blind FROM BIRTH!) Sometimes people will decided that someone may have sinned and that is the "why" of their difficulties. I don't think that anyone should decide that sin is the reason for a person's difficulties, that is between God and them. Sure there are consequences for sin and sometimes they are apparent, however, our job is to be an encouragement and help them with a loving spirit, not a judgmental one.

If you are going through a difficult time, remember that God is just a prayer away. Enlist others to pray for you too!