Blessed are the Pouters?

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:5 

I recently had 'successful' back surgery 'except' I developed bad headaches along with intense pain in my neck. This of course set me off course down a discouraging path resulting in a pity party featuring a familiar lament that I have more than my fair share of pain. My pain excuses no no it justifies my bad attitude.  I even remembered Jesus spoke to this subject of pouting I believe somewhere between Mt 5:4 & Mt 5:5 was addressed.

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
-4b- Blessed are the Pouters.. for they shall have a pity party
5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
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Ok, per usual I have embellished.. Pouters are not blessed in the Gospels (there is no Mt 5:4b) or anywhere else in the Bible.  This can only be found in my BADattitudes and not the Beatitudes. 

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Truth is  last Friday I left a doctor appointment discouraged, lamenting pain is my lot in life.  My perspective needed an attitude adjustment. So Saturday morning came and I had a great conversation with my wife Mary as she had been reading about Job regarding pain and trusting God.. and how even Job who lost everything should not have went down the pity party path he took.  Who are any of us to tell God life is not fair? 

Read Job 38 where God speaks to Job from a whirlwind adding a deity perspective to his pity party. 

So starting that Saturday morning I intentionally chose to be thankful and hopeful instead of throwing a pity party that no one wants to attend.

again ..

Why, my soul, are you downcast?  Why so disturbed within me?  Put your hope in God,  for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalms 42:5 
and..
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him? Psalms 8:4

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I would like to say I am pain free, but that is not how this story (life) goes, but today I choose to be thankful and prayerful in the midst of any pain or trial I face.

I pray God blesses us all with perspective that is His alone. I pray we find  His hope and  peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you Lord for the blessings of this life and I pay you find us  faithful in serving you first no matter our circumstance.

In all things to God be the Glory.

Jeff (pain in the neck) Larson

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