This past week, I woke up one day with some significant GI issues, felt nauseous, and soon had a fever with a whole body ache. It was similar to what my daughter experienced the day before, so suspected the same outcome, as she was feeling better within a day. It was the sickest I’ve felt for many months, so even though I had ambitions of getting some things done, I was very unproductive throughout the day and felt pretty useless. I was able to get around and take care of myself without much need for my family’s support, but still felt like more of a liability than an asset to the family that day. By the next day, I was on the upswing and did help get some things done more than the day before. Its one thing feeling helpless and unproductive for a day, but what about a week, months, or years? I have some days when I am physically healthy that I feel are unproductive (or less than planned), don’t go well and I am not very helpful to those around me either. How do you feel when you are not self-sufficient and have to depend on others around you for a time?
Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Matthew 6:26
Most of us like to be self-sufficient and be able to take care of ourselves, and even be able to help others whenever we can if possible. As was in the time Jesus walked the earth, there are many who depend on others to get their daily needs met. Every day, I work with children with varying degrees of disability, from those who have some minor physical limitations, to those who cannot stand, sit, talk, or even roll over on their own. Our son is able bodied, but has never spoken a word in his 13 years, that we are aware of. We all have limitations to varying degrees, but some are more obvious than others. When we look at someone, or get to know them, the first things that stand out are often their faults and shortcomings, or even the things that irritate us. If we look deeper, we might be able to see what possibilities lie within them more than the things that limit them or get in the way. Expectations might be greater for some than others, but we can always be hopeful to see growth and success in others, and even ourselves.
I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:14
So, if you are having a difficult day, or week, or year, take a moment and take a look around you. Sometimes its ok to compare yourself to others, as there is always someone that appears to be doing better, and someone with more struggles than we are facing. Celebrate the success of others when you can, and offer help or a word of encouragement to those who are struggling if able. Looking up from our own navel gazing can help us remember that there are more important things than our own struggles at times. Walking with others though difficulties can be an encouraging thing for both. Pray for those who are wading through the swamps of life and don’t be afraid to ask for help from God or others when you need a tow.
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ Philippians 3:7-8
Yours in Christ,
Clark
