HOW DO YOU FEEL? (part-15)

DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE BEING TREATED UNFAIRLY?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Do not be deceived: God cannot
be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
(Galatians 6:7)

MEDITATION:
We live in a world where everyone wants to get credit for anything good.
However, the same people look for someone to blame when things are bad.
Too many people don’t want to accept responsibility for their actions. The
courts, the laws, the lawyers, and even parents help to foster this attitude.

We see instances on the news where someone kills another person
and yet those who claim they know the murderer, say that he or she
would never do anything like that. Then, later we find out that the
person who ‘was not capable of murder’ was actually someone who
frequently abused his spouse and children.

Defense lawyers seem to have adopted an attitude of “win at all costs”.
As a result, they no longer try to get a reduced sentence, but strive to
get complete acquittal of any wrong doing by their client, even if they
know they are guilty of the crime.

In the world of business, we can see instances where a person or group
of people do all of the significant work, but when it is finished, others
who contributed very little will do anything to get full credit for the
success of a project. In some cases, the boss will capture all the credit
with total disregard and disrespect of those who did the work.

It can be very frustrating and discouraging for people who invest their
time and effort to ensure success, but never receive the kudos for a job
well done. We see favoritism abounding and widespread dishonesty as
those who do not “sow”, want to enjoy the “reap” of the harvest.

We could go on and on about how the world fails to balance rewards
with efforts. However, that is not the way God operates. God’s rules
are simple – whatever we sow, we can expect to reap. That’s the good
news for those who sow goodness, but not very good news for those
who sow evilness.

If you asked someone who sows evil,
    “Would you like to have done to you
      what you are doing to others?”
more than likely their answer would be, “No”. But in God’s world,
that’s the way it works.

This should be great encouragement for those who sow goodness,
but are frequently mistreated by those who live by the standards
the world has created. No matter how they are treated by others,
they can be assured that God will bless them whenever they bless
others.

What if you don’t see results right away?

How does the farmer react when he sows but doesn’t see fast growth
of his crops? He doesn’t get frustrated and rip up the seeds or partially
developed crops out of the ground. Instead, he continues to water the
soil, pull the weeds, and protect his crops. Why? Because he patiently
waits for the Lord to bless him with ripe produce.

ACTION:
Maybe you are frustrated and discouraged by how others are treating
you. Be patient and remember, God says that you will reap what you
sow. God has promised to bless you when you sow goodness in your own
life, and in the lives of others. Let His promises motivate you to continue
sowing goodness, rather than being controlled by the frustrations and
disappointments that you might be experiencing.

However, if your frustrations and disappointments are a result
of what you are sowing, then wouldn’t you agree that it is time
to sow something different, because what you are sowing doesn’t
appear to be goodness?

We should never forget that when we are aligned with God’s
promises, and not the worldly standards and guidelines, we
will be rewarded for our efforts, even if we have to patiently
wait for a longer period of time than we expected. Waiting
can be part of the Lord’s ‘sanctification’ process to help us
mature spiritually (and that’s a good thing).
    And we know that in all things God works
    for the good of those who love him, who
    have been called according to his purpose.
    (Romans 8:28)

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your almighty power
and wisdom. Thank You for creating me with the potential
to grow and change. Help me to see that same potential in
others. Help me to see failure as something to overcome,
and not something to stop me from pursuing goodness.
Forgive me if I have been sowing unrighteousness and
teach me to start sowing righteousness and goodness.
Thank You for Your promise that whenever I sow good
things, I will reap good things.”

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