I found him wearying. He incessantly “shared” stories of the personal wrongs done to him with anyone who would listen, and frankly, it had become a burden. So I started avoiding him. Yes, I know that’s not what Jesus would do. But it’s what I did.
I know others in far worse circumstances than he—yet they’re a delight to be around. Their lives exude joy! Sure, they’re wounded, and they know it. But they don’t bathe in that woundedness, and others are drawn to them because of their joy. We cringe from one attitude. We’re attracted to the other.
People must have been drawn to Joseph. His bosses certainly appreciated him. We read his epic story in the last 15 chapters of the ancient book of Genesis. Sold into slavery by his own brothers, Joseph so impressed his master Potiphar that he was given control of all his household business (Genesis 39:1-6). Wrongfully charged with sexual assault, Joseph landed in an Egyptian prison (Genesis 39:10-20). Even at the bottom, Joseph couldn’t help but rise to the top. Eventually, Pharaoh appointed him second in command of all Egypt.
It was God’s blessing that brought Joseph these successes (Genesis 39:2-3). And note that he didn’t get those blessings by whining about all the injustices done to him. No one respects that, and Joseph commanded respect. Decades later, the deathbed blessing Joseph’s father bestowed on him recalled the heinous deeds perpetrated against him. “Archers attacked him savagely; they shot at him and harassed him. But his bow remained taut” (Genesis 49:23-24). Joseph never gave in to a defeated attitude. He wound up rescuing his family and preserving the line from which Jesus would ultimately come.
It’s okay to grieve about injustices done to us. But we don’t need to stay there.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 6:1-38
More:
What does the opening portion of James say about suffering and trials? (James 1:2-4).
Next:
Do other people seem to enjoy your company? How do you react to personal injustices? What’s the difference between being in denial about your circumstances and choosing joy despite them?
mike on April 15, 2012 at 7:52 am
Encouraging reminder of living with the right perspective.
When we allow unforgiveness and anger to linger, we are held captive by those feelings and the individual that created them. as we learn to be purposeful about forgiveness we will learn to take our focus off circumstances which allows us to place our focus on Jesus and His purpose and passion for us.
melanierweber on April 15, 2012 at 9:29 am
Thank you Tim. A family member is being bullied and the life of Joseph comes to mind. What a delight to see this reading when I looked today’s reading!
binga22 on April 15, 2012 at 11:51 am
Joseph was faithful, he continued walking without whining ! Now what about that first paragraph- those complainers that Jesus would not have avoided that I do ? How long do you listen and what if they don’t want to hear truth ? Should they pick up their mats and WALK ? What if their negativity is contagious and affects your ability to be available to others ? All questions I struggle with in regards to a chronic complainer and a fellow believer who helps/ listens to that person more than I do – and expresses that I am not doing all I should for the complainer. When I feel led to listen or speak I do so.
tim gustafson on April 15, 2012 at 9:47 pm
Excellent questions, Binga22. There is a question of balance here. I’m still realizing that I need to rely completely on God for the wisdom to know how to respond. As soon as I tell myself, “I’ve got this,” I’m doomed to failure.
daisymarygoldr on April 16, 2012 at 12:53 am
Tim Gustafson, just wanted to assure you that you are not the only one who feels weary with those who whine about injustice. God feels the same way about whiners. The prophet Malachi tells the people of Judah: “You have wearied the Lord with your words… by asking, “Where is the God of justice?” (Malachi 2:17).
These people were expecting certain blessings from God that they were not receiving. Many use the examples of Job and David to justify getting angry that God did not meet certain expectations. They are convinced God is big enough to handle their anger. This attitude is based on the belief that our relationship with God as Christians grants us the privilege to certain blessings.
Constantly carping about wrongs done to us is the characteristic of carnal Christians. It fosters the idea that we deserve to be treated better, we deserve more, and that we have earned the right to be treated fairly. Most chronic complainers find fault with everyone: parents, siblings, spouse, children, their teachers or doctors, friends, co-workers, fellow believers and yes, you guessed it right— people even accuse God of being unfair.
When we doubt God’s justice and whine about not being treated right, we make Him weary. God does not hear those prayers (Isaiah 1:14-15 NKJV). He tells us to make ourselves clean, cease to do evil, learn to do good and seek justice.
Justice according to worldly wisdom means judging and condemning, making people pay for wrongs done to us and our loved ones. The Bible, however, teaches us to make sure that as God’s people, we go out of our way to treat others well, even if it means that we may not be treated fairly.
Let us not make God weary but humbly take everything to Him in prayer. For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering (1 Peter 2:19 Amp).
dm2jj on April 15, 2012 at 4:19 pm
Forgiveness takes away anger’s power and its ability to blow up relationships. Forgiveness disarms the sting of bitterness. It invites the peace of God and provides supernatural healing power.
Your hurt, your pain, and your desire to see others pay for what they,ve done to you are the things that make it hard for you to forgive.
When you refuse to forgive, the person you’re hurting most is Y-O-U.
Now forgiveness doesn’t mean you let people abuse you or that you give up on the biblical concept of justice. R-E-A-L forgiveness is a choice you make to T-R-U-S-T God to be the J-U-D-G-E, not you.
Do yourself a F-A-V-O-R and F-O-R-G-I-V-E….
chacha on April 16, 2012 at 4:54 am
Just like to share my own experience, i had my father that is having an extra marital affair and it caused my mother hurt so much. i saw her crying,having the bitterness and unforgiveness in her heart towards my father.Everyday i saw her pains and suffering and that cause me to become angry to my father then being bitter,unloving, unrespectful and unforgiving to him.i wanted to
But thanks be to God because He did not made me to do so.With His presence around me, He just not only took away the pains and anger in my heart but replace it with a loving and forgiving heart.My own plans on how to do bad things for my father was being turned the other way, in God’s righteous way.
Though we experience injustices or wrong doings in our lives while living here on earth,we can be rest assured that our Heavenly Father is watching us.He knows everything and sees everything.He is our eternal security,our shield and the Righteous God.