“Woe Is Me” Attitude…

Woe is me is described as how one exclaims his or her sorrow and distress.  A pitiful expression of one’s self.

Well, an interesting thing happened to me this week and it led me to be really careful about feeling broken and sorry for myself when negative things happen in my life.

I had the pleasure of meeting a very determined and spiritually strong young man.

This young man shared his personal story and reminded me that sometimes, we have to put on our big girl or big boy undies and roll with the punches.

Easy for me to say, right?  No, it’s really not, because I am so guilty of not always rolling with the punches.

I hate to admit it but often times when I’m faced with difficult challenges, the first thing I do is sing the “Woe is Me” sad song.  I even sing it to God, “Why Me!”, I ask him.  “Why do I have to fight so hard for everything that I achieve?”  “Other people seem to have things handed to them”, I cry.

Then, I remember that God said he will be with me through my troubles. (Psalms 50:15, And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.”

Someone once told me that you know you are under God’s divine appointment when you are always coming under a multitude of struggles, trials, and spiritual warfare which can be flattering if you possess the strength and understanding to see it that way.

The Book of Job comes to mind because he was faced with a multitude of losses, troubles, and challenges, yet he remained faithful to God.  He didn’t question God, nor did he complain and he lost everything!  What did God do after he remained faithful?  He Blessed the latter end of Job’s life more than his beginning by giving him twice as much as he had before.

This young man reminds me of the faith and courage that Job possessed.

What struck my attention about this young man and sort of put me in my place was how he showed amazing strength paired with so much joy, in spite of what he has endured.   He had a silent sense of calm about him that I couldn’t quite figure out.

It was nice seeing such a young person with all the qualities at such a young age that most of us can only hope to possess in our lifetime.  He is truly a rare find.

I spoke with him a little and he shared with me some losses and challenges that he has already endured during his young life.  He’s only 17 and had just a few days earlier lost a loved one, yet he continued to wear his smile.  I couldn’t even imagine how I would handle such losses and I hope I never have to find out.

He does not wear his losses like a badge, as some of us do, he does not mope around in sadness, he does not seek pity.  Instead, he handles his challenges like a pro, rather like a young man of God who knows that our Father is guiding him through all that he has to endure.

Even with all the losses, some very recent and some still anticipated, he possesses this gentle spirit that can only come from the Holy Spirit.  He also shared with me that he was a Christian and leans not on his own understanding but rather he leans on God.

That’s when I realized what it was that puzzled me about him.  He wasn’t just any ordinary teenager, he is a teenager with a divine purpose and he is seeking God’s guidance to fulfill that purpose.

I try and keep myself focused on (Philippians 4:13)  “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”   Once I’m reminded of this passage, that’s when I pick myself up an dust myself off and try and move on from it.  It’s not easy, though.

We could all learn a thing or two from this young man…

If you have not yet obtained a bible, the one shown below is similar to the bible I own.  It was a gift from a good friend.

This is an additional bible I’d like to own, along with the book “How To Study The Bible”.