I totally understand what you are saying and we’ve had plenty of bad things happen in our lives. However, I think the Body of Christ has to turn from counting their hardships (over and over) to counting their blessings over and over! Most certainly, we have had hard times and probably will continue to but we have also have many blessings and times we have been specifically blessed.

I am glad you have an outlet here to share your real feelings and I don’t condemn that but it seems like most of what I hear or read in Christian circles, in books, concerts (songs), magazines, the pulpit, etc. is sad and defeatist. I try not to let it get me down, but that makes me sad! Jesus came to give us life, life more abundant. Let’s talk about that more!

I am not criticizing you because I have to practice it more often myself! I think life wouldn’t seem so bad if we continually did as Paul said in Philippians 4:8 -
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” I change the word “think” to “dwell” because honestly, that is what we do! We either dwell on the negative or the positive. Also, if we continually do this I know we can live in JOY and not just happiness! Our circumstances might not change, but we will.

I think we give the devil a lot more credit than we give God and we are supposed to be believers! It seems simplistic but I know from experience that it works!

I have also been thinking a lot about not holding on to the “victim mentality” that we often get into to. We need to let go of the past and give all our sorrows completely and finally to Jesus and continually focus on our blessings.

One thing I have been thinking about is pain. Many people have chronic pain like myself but if I get a negative thought, I refuse it! I am not a victim of the pain. My life if much more than pain, or loss or other peoples’ craziness, or whatever ill comes my way. So I try to focus on other things. Though I am well aware there are many times that physical pain overtakes me, I still have control of my thoughts! I just have to take it! It’s my choice to renew my mind and resist the devil, or not!

Also, just because David or any other Old Testament character handled a circumstance or viewed it one way, doesn’t mean it’s the right way for us. We have the Holy Spirit. They didn’t.

I wish I had developed my thoughts more but I really have something I have to do today and just wanted to let you know my rather unorganized thoughts as I think you will get my drift.

I think I am preaching to myself! I am thankful that God is really good!

God bless you, Rudy!