Have you ever known someone who just sucked the joy and the life right out of you? Maybe they are essentially a really nice person and very well-meaning...maybe they don't even know they do it. But they exude negativity and totally, completely kill any chance of a positive conversation. It can be exhausting trying to constantly steer things in a positive direction. They unknowingly refuse to be lifted up and end up dragging you right down with them. By the time you part ways with them, you are feeling drained and not so positive anymore. I feel so bad for these people. How do they live with themselves and how in the world do they deal with life with an attitude like that and still remain sane?
There is a story in the Bible in the 5th chapter of Mark about a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus. His 12 year old daughter was at home and was sick and very near death. Jairus sought Jesus out and begged Him to come lay hands on his daughter so that she would be healed and live. Jairus had faith that's all it would take. He asked and believed. Jesus went with him to his house to heal the girl, but along the way there were people from Jairus' house who approached Jairus and asked him why he was bothering Jesus with this....his daughter was already dead. These were people from his house. Maybe close friends, maybe relatives, maybe even other children he had. I'm sure these people didn't mean to be negative. They were, after all, just telling him the truth about his daughter. But they failed to believe that the Healer could heal her...failed to see the desperate look on Jairus' face....and because Jairus did believe, it must have discouraged him. If nothing else, he probably lost focus for a minute on his hope for a miracle. Is there a dream or a vision for your future you have had that has gotten squashed by everyday life? Could be someone discouraged you. Could be you don't believe in yourself enough to continue pushing towards that dream. Maybe cirmcumstances in your life have just crowded out any chance you feel you have to pursue your vision.
Back to the story for a minute....Jesus looked at Jairus and told him not to be afraid, but to believe. To trust Him. From that point until they arrived at Jairus' home, only Jesus' closest disciples were allowed to follow with them. There was no room for doubters in the vision of a group of people who were focused on positive results. When the group got to the house, there were more people (maybe neighbors, friends, other family...gotta wonder if the paparazzi were there too :)) who were crying and wailing that the girl was dead. But there was no room for pessimism in a situation that called for optimism....so these people where quickly ordered out of the home as well. All that remained were Jesus and His 3 closest buddies, Jairus and his wife, and their lifeless daughter. The room was filled with believers in the miracle they knew could happen. Only then did Jesus take the girl's hand and tell her to get up. She immediately got up and started walking around.
There is a plan for your life. There are dreams and visions for our future that we all have...God put them there to give us hope for something more than the same day to day life most of us are living. Something, someone is holding you back from all that God has purposed for you. Find the weed that is choking out the hope...joy...peace...belief in your life. Get rid of it. This is probably going to take some courage and determination on your part. But it's worth it. YOU are worth it. Anytime you get rid of something negative in your life, the experts say you have to immediately replace it with something good. Seek out positive influences and people. Surround yourself with them. There is tremendous power in positive living!
Now go pull your weeds! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment