Do you remember Job?
He lost his health. His family. His finances. His farm. He lost everything. On top of that, his wife told him to curse God so he could die, and his friends were jerks. But, what was Job’s response to all of this? A higher perspective. In the midst of extreme pain and loss, he learned that God’s ways are higher than our own. It makes no sense to panic or overfocus on our circumstances. In comparison to our destiny, they are small. We can survey our circumstances, but we should fix our eyes on God’s perspective.
When did God move on Job’s behalf, restoring twice as much as he had before? Not when Job did more for God. Not when he pulled himself up by his bootstraps. He was taken higher when he prayed for his friends. The moment Job began to pray for his friends is the moment God began to work to restore what had been taken away. So, what one thing could you do that would change everything about your life? Pray for your friends. Change the way you speak about the people around you and your circumstances. If you will determine to take your focus off of yourself and to pray for those God has placed around you, you’ll change your life.
When our words show that we agree with God, our lives are taken to a new level. The higher level that He intended. Our prayer: “God, create within us pure hearts and tongues. Give us the strength to be people of hope. Help us to see prayer as a spiritual discipline, not as an option. We ask that you would give our friends a spirit of insight and wisdom. Take them to new levels with you.”