The journey of life is not always easy. Some people handle hardship with grace which only God can give. When such people are moving other people are filled with envy and rage while those with the Spirit of God in them will give God praise. The saying goes ‘walk a mile in someone else’s shoes’. This is an adage with deep meaning.
What it means is before you judge a person, walk a mile in his or her shoes, so you will get an idea of how the person feels, what challenges they may be going through, perhaps their way of thinking.
In my line of duty, I come across many people from different walks of life, with different experiences.
I met a young lady a few years ago, always smiling and seemed very happy, as we started chatting she shared a little bit of her life story with me and I was shocked to hear that she was planning suicide. I could not believe what I was hearing and I said to her you seem bubbly, always smiling, appear quite happy. From that conversation I ministered to her about the Lord Jesus Christ. She is still alive today and still bubbly but no longer suicidal thanks to almighty God.
In this life, people go through different challenges and may be hiding it under a fake smile. Some may show angry face to scare people away but deep down they enjoy the peace of God but perhaps that peace of God within is not radiating on the outside because of the incessant attacks from the enemy.
The joy of the Lord is my strength according to Neh. 8:10
It is important to know the God we are serving and to worship him in truth and in spirit. Also learn to love people. It should not be always about us and how we are feeling but take time to pray for others and reach out to them in any way you can. It could be just a phone call to say, ‘how are you? I’m thinking about you and praying for you’
The prayer of Jesus in John 17:21, ” …is that they all may be one….”
In John 13:34, he said, “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another”.
Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 KJV.
If your pilgrimage journey on earth seems tough, know that you are not alone. There are others in similar or worse situations than you.
Think about the thousands of people around the world who have been displaced from their homes due to war, natural disaster, ethnic cleansing and so many other factors, compounded together by the present pandemic. How much worse can it get?
It is important to take time and pray for those in need, those who are suffering.
The journey of life can affect many of us in different ways. Many of us have different ways of handling problems. Compassion is a virtue, kindness is a virtue. Be merciful, be kind and show love.
God bless you as you serve him in others today through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Shalom!