My heart is sadden as I hear and read about all the lives taken from the southeast by the worst out break of storms in the last four decades. The death toll is around 300, and my guess is it's going to climb.The reality of it all hit me harder when I saw pictures and read the testimonies of the people who endured God's providence from under neath a front porch or a small closet of vulnerable and seemingly disposable homes. I have a lot of friends and family in the south and I am relieved to say everyone is fine. However there are thousands of people who are directly or indirectly effected by what unfolded in the aftermath. So I beg this question, what causes a human being to act contrary to how the majority of his or her fellow inhabitants are acting? I'm not just talking apathy, but an ill will towards people who go through very taxing situations. Is it humor, hate, or not being convinced it's as severe as others are saying it is? I ask the question because I came across negative responses when reading an article in regards to the disaster that struck the south. So I then asked my self the question "why would someone say that?" So here are my thoughts: If it's humor, I'm guessing the person has not encountered much pressure in life to relate to any brokenness, so they don't understand. If it's hate the person might believe, that those harmed were out to get them and they turn glad when blood sheds from there "opponents". Last, if it's a person not persuaded by the accounts they most likely think they know better. In conclusion to all this I think there is a more pressing question: how is a Christian supposed to respond to these types of reactions? Praise God we have his Word and His only begotten, Jesus to look to! Christ was laughed at even mocked (Matthew 9:24; 27:29) He was hated (John 15:24-25) and treated with unbelief (John 12: 36-38) on His way to Golgotha and what did He go and do for US!
He did 1st Peter 2:24!
Lord I desperately need you to help me have compassion for those who seem to have none In the name of King Jesus, Amen
HOw convicting! I find that I struggle with this.. I am so wrapped up in my little world and I guess have felt like there is pain everywhere that I tend to blow it off so I can get on with life..!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the challenge as I examine my heart and see my sin of lack of love.!