Saturday, July 12, 2014

Float Like a Butterfly... Sting Like a Bee

Probably like most of you I am not a fan of pain. I don't like stubbing my toe. I don't like getting a paper cut. I don't like getting shots at the doctors office. I don't like getting hit by a baseball traveling at high speeds. I do not like it here. I do not like it there. I do not like pain anywhere.

Today I had a surprising bout with pain. As I was mowing the front yard this afternoon I felt this sharp, searing pain in right above my left heel. Naturally, I swatted back immediately - as my normal response to something attacking me is to attack back. I couldn't see if it was a bee or a wasp, but I could see where it stung me immediately. It started to swell and get red pretty fast. At first I thought I would just immediately start back to mowing and then each step really got tough! I had to bend over and give myself a moment. It really hurt!

As I was kneeling down in my front yard feeling sorry for myself and totally hating whatever stung me - I couldn't help but think about what I've been studying these past few weeks. You see - I'm preaching on Jesus' trial and crucifixion in a couple of weeks at our church and I really examined the medical studies on Jesus' suffering. The pain and affliction He endured during those short hours is (literally) unimaginable. The Romans were such a cruel society and they had perfected the art of torture. And Jesus had to feel so much pain at the hands of Romans soldiers and religious leaders. And He didn't try to respond to them. He didn't try to swat them like the bugs they were to Him. He was silent! And He took that on for me. And for you, too!

After that realization my little bug sting didn't seem so bad. Now granted - it still hurt at the time and it still hurts now. But the way we view a situation effects how we respond. If we always think about our feelings and how things hurt or benefit us - we'll often be disappointed or upset. If we keep our 'attitude of gratitude' and thank God for all things - our perspective will often be a lot more positive and selfless. God has already done WAY MORE good for us than we could ever deserve! So if a little sting comes along the way - remember it could be way worse!

No comments:

Post a Comment