Cristina Baez

I know I've struggled with this thought many times. I always wondered why it seemed that those who didn't follow Christ and lived a life filled with sin seemed to have this life better off than me. What I wasn't realizing was that what I was doing was sinning. I was focusing my energy on what others had that I didn't have. I was comparing myself to them and doubting that God really was protecting or providing for me. 

When I took a step back to look at my life, the reality was I have been given more than I deserve. It may not be many friends, a really nice car, or good looks but I have a home, a family that shows and gives love, I have loyal and faithful friends, my health, and the best thing of all a life with hope. 

We can look at others and on the outside see that they seem to have everything but that isn't always the case. They may not truly be happy, they may have a fragile marriage, rough family life, struggle with a sickness or disease. Nobody truly knows someone else. Only God our father knows the depths of our hearts, needs, and mind. 

God said himself that the materials of the earth will never bring true joy or satisfaction or happiness. He is the ONLY one that can fill that place. We may all be different, but that is one area where we are all the same. 

When you are sick or going through a rough patch in life you know you can lean on Him and he will provide for you and take care of you. And in the end, no matter what you will be reunited and live in His presence. But those who have all those fancy things or an "easy life," when things take a turn for the worst they don't have that hope. Some of them may not even realize that they are missing something that could fill the holes they are trying to fill with materialistic things or relationships. 

Our job is to go out and share the good news with those people. But when we start comparing ourselves to them, it is them that we keep the word of God and the Good News from being spread. Always rejoice in everything, in sickness and health, hardships and good times, because the Father and the heavens will be rejoicing with you.

February 16 2015 • 3 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

I see today as being much like that of the times of Satan's control over Job. God allowed Satan to have his way with Job because God knew Job's faith would not fail (Job 1:12).

Compare this to today:

2 Cor 4:3-4
"But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."

Many overlook the fact that God has allowed Satan to have control of this world today, much like the control Satan was allowed over Job. All of the seeming 'blessings' (or even adversities) to not only unbelievers, but believers also, are to me an attempt by Satan to keep our focus on the things of 'this world'. This then results in the hiding of the truth of God's love and grace for us; Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor 1:23). After all, this is how Satan was defeated, so he of course does not want souls to discover God's gift to humanity and path to victory over him also thorough Christ's shed blood.

Romans 5:8-11
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement."

We today should focus on all our spiritual gifts found in heavenly places (Eph 1:3).

July 26 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report