The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus’ greatest discourse (or sermon if you will). He started first with the Beatitudes…….. (eight life-attitudes) in Matthew 5:6-11. I find this wise and amazing. Our attitudes are the most important starting point in applying the wisdom of Jesus to our life. These attitudes can be applied to almost any situation in life. The key is to look at the situation through the lens of Jesus in these attitudes. Below is a look at “troubles and struggles in life” through the lens of these eight attitudes that Jesus taught us:
1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit”………blessed are those who trust in God as they face struggles in their life….and look to Him for guidance……..“for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2. “Blessed are those who mourn”…….blessed are those who reflect on “who they are” and recognize that often….their struggles are a result of their own doing and mourn this in their life…….bringing true repentance and leading to better decisions next time…..“for they will be comforted.”
In the same way….blessed are those that recognize that sometimes our struggles are the result of someone else’s actions…..and mourn what is happening in their life….praying for them, again…….. “for they will be comforted”
3. “Blessed are the meek”…….. blessed are those who are humble enough to accept their own shortcomings and look to God to help then grow and strengthen through the struggles or troubles they face, “for they will inherit the earth.”
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness”…….blessed are those who hunger to be truthful….to be honest…. and to stand behind their word even in the face of struggle and trouble in their lives, “for they will be filled.”
5. “Blessed are the merciful”…….blessed are those who seek to help those in their lives that are faced with struggle and trouble…..and to help them to see the great truths of God’s Words, “for they will be shown mercy.”
6. “Blessed are the pure in heart”….blessed are those who have discovered these truths….have put them to the test and who live their lives in God’s will, “for they will see God.”
7. “Blessed are the peacemakers”……blessed are those who are strong in Christ and who don’t feel the need to seek retribution or revenge, “for they will be called children of God.”
8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness” ……blessed are those who stand strong in who they are……. in truth and in spirit….. and don’t allow those who would make fun of them for being honest or truthful, for doing the right things in the face of struggles and troubles, to dull their spirit or to lead them down the wrong path, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I realized today that so often, we are like a sponge full of liquid. To see what is inside a sponge, just add a little pressure and squeeze. It could be the sweetness of pure water–or it could be the bitterness of vinegar. The same thing happens to us when we are under the pressure of troubles and struggle in our lives–when the pressure is applied everyone sees what’s inside our heart the soul.
In the face of struggle, in the face of trouble….respond faithfully; put your faith in Jesus.
Romans 1:17 (TNIV)
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed–a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”Romans 8:18 (TNIV)
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Cool, I didn’t know that you’re a blogger, Pastor Jan! Nice insights, too! Cheers to you for taking the cyber bull by the horns, and mastering it like a master would… yes, the present suffering is well worth it, and when it becomes a little much, I just take a nap.