How do you respond to the discomfort of a pebble in your shoe? What about when it’s a more serious illness?
Discomfort, pain, and illness challenge us mightily when we hear Paul’s words, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4 NLT). How am I supposed to rejoice when I’m sick, depressed, or irritated?
Pastor Joe McGreever tells the story of Jack Hinton, who led a mission trip to a leper colony on Tobago. Toward the end of their trip, they held a worship service. One of the lepers entered the room, sitting on the back row with her face turned away from the stage. When Jack asked for song requests, she turned around and with a huge smile requested the song, “Count Your Blessings.”
If a leper can learn to praise God in the midst of her suffering, perhaps we can find a way to thank God in the midst of our minor discomforts or major life tragedies.
