By Pastor Bill Gaube
How can two people look at the same situation, and one despair while the other rejoices? It might be our financial situation, health or some personal conflict we are having. Some find so much to rejoice about and enjoy. Others find only loss and despair. A few dismissively say, “Well there are pessimists and there are optimists.” But as Christians I would suggest another view.
I think we can learn from the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6. During the night a huge Army had surrounded the place where Elishsa was staying. In the morning Elisha’s servant ran to Elisha in a frenzy and nervously asked, “What shall we do?” Elisha was not at all disturbed and warmly assured the servant, “Don’t be afraid; those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (v16) Then Elisha prayed, not against the Army, but for his servant: “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Elisha knew God had the Army under control and wanted his servant to understand the resources of God.
The Servant saw only the problem. Elisha saw the problem AND God’s resources. As life piles up on us, different problems arise – they almost seem to multiply like a giant army. Life can seem to be a growing series of crises.
Let us, like Elisha, see the problems AND God’s resources. Each new problem can open our eyes to greater understanding of God’s resources. More importantly, they open our hearts to a deeper relationship with God through His son, Jesus Christ.
How do you view life’s cumulating complexities? Do you see just the problems and say, “That is just the way I am”? Ask God to deepen your Christian experience by seeing the problems AND God. That can dictate whether we despair or rejoice.
