People problems

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” _Jesus, (John 16:33)

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When Jesus informed us that “here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows” he was not informing us it was “us” against “them.” (Those mean ole bad sinners or Christians that act like them who are such a trial and sorrow to us.)

If that were the case, then there would be no reason for Jesus to have given us the instructions to go into all the world and “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).

Whether it’s your spouse or your teenager (or two-year old!), or whether it is your boss-from-hell or your neighbor with a horrible attitude who junks up their yard and let’s their leaves blow over in your yard, it’s important to remember the difference between thinking, “I have people problems” and “People are the problem.”

The very reason we are still here is because of people! The moment we lose our heart for helping people and pointing people toward the God that loves them we become of no value “here on earth”.

• The ONE THING for today: People have problems and that can create trials and sorrow for us, but people are not the problem; sin and the devil is the problem but Jesus is the answer. Let’s keep the focus on the answer!

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“It seems that the church today is much more interested in “search and destroy” than “seek and save.” We are prone to be too long on mad and too short on mercy.” _Joseph M. Stowell, Shepherding the Church into the 21st Century, p. 53