To Give & Receive. Job 9-10; Second Corinthians 9

May the mumbling commence!

How do we view our lives when we are in the valleys?  Do we forget the good times?  Does the current depression cancel out all the previous blessings?  When we are in the thick of things, it is easy to be mired in the negativity and forget all our blessings – past and present.

This amnesia settled in on Job, who had a charmed life before disaster enveloped him.  Job forgot his past blessings.  Read from Job chapter ten:

“‘Why, then, did you bring me out of my mother's womb?

Why didn't you let me die at birth? 

Then I would have been spared this miserable existence.

I would have gone directly from the womb to the grave. 

I have only a little time left, so leave me alone—

that I may have a little moment of comfort 

before I leave for the land of darkness and utter gloom, never to return. 

It is a land as dark as midnight,

a land of utter gloom where confusion reigns

and the light is as dark as midnight.'"   (Verses 18-22)

Job can see nothing but misery and gloom in his past, present and future.  There’s depression at its worst.  Depression has seized the faithful Job.  Depression seizes the most faithful of people today.

Depression is an evil to struggle with.  Just, please, do not struggle alone.  You are not alone.  That is a lie that Satan is trying to feed you.  Speak up.  Get help.  Many people are going through the same thing now.  Many people have gone through it in the past.  AND many people will come to that pass in their lives.

Introduce depression to community and the burden will become less.  I do NOT say that it will disappear.  But the burden will become less.

Be prepared to receive help.  And when you become stronger, be prepared to give.  Give generously.  Remember you cannot out-give God.  Read from Second Corinthians chapter nine:

Remember this – a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.  You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully.  And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.  (Verses 6-8)

There is no force in faith.  Give out of the generosity of your heart.  God will love you.  God will provide all you need… with plenty leftover to share. 

Indeed, our cups overflow!

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out