Luke 6:38 (NIV)- Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure that you use, it will be given to you.
Yesterday, we spoke about finding joy in the midst of our challenges while referring to James 1:2-4 (NLT). The scripture goes on to say that when our faith is tested through challenges, our endurance has a chance to grow. As a result of that growth our endurance becomes fully developed. I don’t know about you, but I can certainly see where this has been the case in my own life through various trials. I can’t say that I have always found “joy” in the process, but I can most definitely say that I have grown because of it.
Using our daughter, Morgan’s story- http://www.morgannicolewatson.com/about as an example, I have grown stronger, wiser & more reliant on God since the start of her journey in 2009. Though there have been many sleepless nights, and tiresome days, I have built endurance over the course of the past 9 years, as a result. I believe this is partly because I have found ways to cope with the situation. See, when faced head on with challenges, we have 2 choices. We can either choose to sink by allowing the circumstance to control us. Or, we can choose to swim, by finding ways to battle through. This brings me to one of the things that I wanted to share with you on ways we can find “joy” in our challenges, and that is by taking the focus off of ourselves & our situations, and on to others by serving them.
Luke 6:38 says we should give and that it will be given to us. I realize that this scripture is generally referred to when talking about finances, but I believe that it is actually referring to so much more than that. I firmly believe that when we give to others in various ways while in the midst of our challenges, there is an opportunity to find joy. Not only will we find joy, but we will gain strength to battle through the challenge . Does this make since? Let me dig a little deeper.
As a mother of a daughter who is battling leukemia and who is disabled as a result of the treatment she previously received, I need encouragement. I also need to know that I am not alone. When I choose to encourage others and show up for them, The Lord provides those very things for me. Not only that, but I find joy while doing it. See, this is why it is imperative that we take the focus off of ourselves and on to others when we are faced with challenges. It maybe difficult to do this at first, but with practice we can & we should!
On that note, I hope this message has in some way inspired you to see the challenges that you may be facing or that you may face a little differently. If you would like to share your thoughts on them, please send me a comment or an email. I enjoy hearing from you guys! And, I would love to pray for you in regards to a specific challenge that you may be up against. Otherwise, I’ll see you here tomorrow and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thefaithfilledtraveler/ until then!
Warmest regard,
Salina Watson
The Faith Filled Traveler 
You are oh so correct when you say if we take the focus off ourselves and place it on others, good things come back to us. Thats how the Lord works.
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It truly is, Ginny. I believe this is an expression of our faith. By directing our attention to others while in a challenging situation of our own, we are essentially trusting The Lord to take care of it.
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So true! Getting out of myself is key. I’ve also heard, “You can’t keep what you don’t give away!”
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Oh, Julia…I love that! Thank you for sharing. Now, get out of your way! 😉
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You should see the reaction at church when I get into the mode of serving. Serving is the number one gift that God gave me and I have used it so much, I do not even think to use it. Now when I go to church I hear, when they do not have to do much at the coffee bar and other places in the church. They say Cary must of been here. Which I try to be humble and say that I just want to be in the back ground where I do my best work and not be noticed. People have started to notice me and it is funny what people say when they watch me work. Then today at work, I was on the same wave length as my boss and got a lot done with the slow movers and was thanked for my work. So I thank God every day that I can serve and use my gifts of service, and giving and mercy.
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That is wonderful, Carey! It sounds like people really appreciate you, and that you enjoy helping them.
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It is the best thing ever to see people light up when I can serve them.
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It truly is!
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Great post and so applicable today. We need to know we aren’t alone, we need to know people are cheering for us and we need the blessings that come from serving others. We need more of this in the world today.
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Natalie,
I could not agree more! Thank you for being here & sharing your thoughts!!!
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