The pot is being stirred again. Not by those who love this country, but by those who would love to see her fail and be overtaken by our enemies. In the last several years we’ve experienced a malady much more powerful than COVID. We play the “blame game”, because we don’t want to be the cause of anything that might result from our reckless behavior. People who used to be known for their radiant smiles, now have down turned lips and sad eyes. The wearing of masks has taken care of that. Who wants to look at a sad face anyway?
The blame game is played by all of us when we don’t take responsibility for our own actions. When we choose to think that our ideas are the only valid ones – when we can’t look beyond our own guilt – when lemons aren’t turned into lemonade, but handed to us raw so we can taste the bitterness – we have no one else to blame, but ourselves. Those of us who truly love America and want to see it the way it used to be are frankly getting tired of all the bullying and negative thinking that’s invaded our nation. This insidious tool is making us a nation of mad people. “I’m mad – you’re mad – we’re all mad here.” We all need to share in the blame and actually mean it.
There is so much anger festering right now. I’m sure the Israelites experience much the same when they wandered in the wilderness for forty years. We, however, aren’t used to being patient. We want things done instantly. Two years is a lifetime to us. The road rage that’s occurring, the ability to smile through adversity, the power of positive reinforcement, the lifting up of our fellow man, have all been lost because we’ve been inconvenience.
When a leader takes responsibility for a botched up event, he needs to be respected, but when he’s saying the words and not acting on them, how can we respect? When a friend says something unkind about you and your beliefs and you sit back and take it, you’re showing kindness, but you’re opinion of that person has changed. When our children are being indoctrinated about historical events – when patriotism is a myth and an antique of a misguided nation – when blood is shed to protect our freedoms – when tolerance leads to the ridiculous – when we can’t even be civil to one another – when we are bullied into getting a shot to protect everyone else – when we shame someone into believing they are the problem – that’s the time for all of us to wake up and stop blaming each other for all the bad that’s going on in the world.
Satan was defeated when Jesus suffered on a cross, died and rose from death. Yet God in His mercy has allowed him to prowl the earth creating more death and destruction. He knows his time is running out so he’s pushing hard right now. We must remember that God still controls Satan. He still loves us beyond measure. He wants us to love Him back and serve him while we’re here on earth. He is giving us this time of grace to let others know that hope is not lost. He is using you and me for this purpose. He will deliver us from evil, but we must return to Him and ask Him to.
A war within is beginning to stir. The thought of another Civil War is even whispered about. We have so many differences that divide us, I wonder if we really are a United States of America. Yet God is consistent in all that He does. He never changes. His Word is truth and we can count on His help when we simply get down on our knees and pray.
Psalm 24:1-10 1The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 2for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. 3Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? 4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. 5They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. 7Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty- he is the King of glory.
atimetoshare.me 
Well said, Kathy. I really love the book of Job. A big theme throughout is the problem with playing the blame game. I also appreciate Job’s attitude, “though He slay me, I will hope in Him.”
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And even when our flesh withers away, he will hold us together.
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“The lifting up of our fellow man, have all been lost because we’ve been inconvenienced.”
Sis, when COVID hit in March of 2020, I was also diagnosed with cancer of the neck. It was rather aggressive to say the least. The right side of my neck swelled out like a balloon with a large mass. At that initial time, I thought simply, I’m in the Lord’s hands no matter what. I initially refused treatment just trusting in the Lord but it was a couple of months later, a new procedure was recommended. However, I didn’t qualify. My insurance wanted me to go the “traditional” route and though I initially refused, after prayer, I looked at this as the Lord giving me another chance. I went through rounds of Chemo, then Radiation and finally a surgery, but to this day (I have one more test coming up) I am cancer-free. THAT is God and no one can convince me otherwise. But what the Lord was kind of chastising me for, was in essence, “He’s not done with me yet!”
So, though I couldn’t do much for this last year plus, other than witness to my oncology caregivers and such, I kept praying for God’s continued direction. What I quoted you saying above was pretty much the outcome. God has called me to not only instruct and teach my brothers and sisters all these years, but to ENCOURAGE them in the face of what the world tries to deliver. God still holds me to that. We may be inconvenienced for sure, but if we remain focused on our Lord and walk in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, we can continue to do what God has called each of us to do until HE is the ONE Who says we are finished. After all these years of trying to serve Him, I’m still learning lessons! This message meant a lot because the lesson is so fresh! Thank YOU for following the leading of the Holy Spirit to minister (serve) each of us, your brothers and sisters! God Bless!
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Your story is very familiar. My husband Paul underwent radiation treatment several years ago. He was told the cancer was gone, but had to plan for its return. He and I prayed about what to do and God led us to placing our hope in Him. He made us in the first place. Paul hasn’t required further treatment and is finally regaining some of the strength he lost through the radiation treatments. There are days when both of us wonder if it will be our last day, but God has a reason for keeping us alive and like you, we’re obligated to follow his lead. Through all trials of life he has remained steadfast and consistent. I’m concerned for future generations as they’ve not yet learned to lean on the rock of our salvation. I pray we can endure a little inconvenience for the King of Creation. Gods continued blessings in your life.
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Thank You Sis and you and yours are in our prayers!
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Kathy, your discussion is one many of us are having with ourselves. Psalm 24 is a timely reminder for all of us to stop and pause in guided moments of self-reflection for personal self as well as the rest of the country. I have wondering the past few days that everyone should hit the pause button for several minutes, a whole hour, or better yet 24 hours before posting that social media post, sending that email, or making that phone call. God refuses to play this endless blame game.
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Excellent— keep shouting!!!!!!!
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You can shout for me. I’m all tuckered out.
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No tuckering out on this watch!!!
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