Can I be a ray of sunshine to others, even in my own troubles? Is it really possible to see beyond myself, my circumstances – to reach out to those around me?

Seems everywhere we look people are in need. It could be just a moment of kindness, a hug, an ear to listen or words of encouragement in a difficult time. These things cost nothing except a little time.

In the story of a Job, he was lost and consumed in his own misery and could not see past what was happening in his own world. As God began to reveal Himself through questions, Job began to not only hear, but also see the overwhelming greatness of who God is. He was humbled and he repented.(Job42:5)

Job’s restoration came when he repented of his false beliefs, his pride, and submitted his will to the will of the sovereign God of the universe. God then directed Job’s friends to go be prayed for by him – the same guys that only brought their misdirected opinions of why they thought Job was suffering, and now God wants him to pray for them. If this had been me I may have questioned this, after all “I” was the one who had lost everything.

But in the great wisdom of God He paints this awesome picture of what it means to put others above ourselves and our circumstances

and to place His will above our own.

Job 42:10 “And God restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

Wow!

Job had to redirect his thoughts and filter them through The Lord. Only through Christ can we fulfill His commandment of truly loving our neighbor as ourselves.

I have to live this life with intention everyday, submitting my will to His will, to be obedient to His Word, and filtering every aspect of my life through Christ. Only then can I see others the way God sees them.

Isaiah 55:8,9 says His ways and thoughts are always higher than mine. His way is always better.