Power of Perspective: St. Patrick's Day

   Okay ya’ll, it is getting crazy out there. People are all freaked out about the virus. Many states are in lockdown of some sort. Grocery stores are rushing to keep up with supply and demand of items. And, worst of all, there is a toilet paper crisis! Alright, that last one seems a little ridiculous but it is still a fact that paper products are becoming endangered species in America. To top it all off people are panicking for multiple reasons. Many people don’t have jobs right now, there is a national state of emergency, people are sick, and people are dying.

   With all of that going on it may be difficult to remember that today is St. Patrick’s Day. When one thinks of St. Patrick’s Day they probably think of green, leprechauns, clovers, and luck. About now, I’m pretty sure many of us are not feeling too lucky. In fact, we may be feeling unlucky. But, I think our perspective needs to change.

   You may be saying, “what does my perspective have to do with anything?” I’m glad you asked. Rather than focusing on all the things we don’t have we should focus on what we still do have. Do you have shelter? Do you have food? Do you have electricity? Do you have family, friends, health, love, etc.? If you have any of these consider yourself lucky. Actually, strike that, consider yourself blessed. Some people may not have those things. Those are the people we need to help spread our blessings to and we need to pray for them.

   God promised his people many things. His chosen people started with Abraham. Abraham was promised 3 things: land, seed, and blessing. He was told that God would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him (Gen.12.3). God kept his promise and blessed his people.

   God gives us blessings too, just as he blessed his people. James 1:17 says: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” God has given you everything you own. He gives and takes away. We don’t always know why God takes certain things away but he has a plan for our lives. He doesn’t change. He still wants good for us.

   So yes, it seems like many of us are unlucky because we don’t have jobs, are on lockdown, are running out of food, are sick, or dying; but, God gave us all of the things we have in the first place. He gave us blessings that we have. We are to share those blessings with others, even in hard times. I think we need to focus on banding together to make it through whatever is going on right now. We need to care about others, pray, and trust God.

   Image from here.