Being Sick Gives You Time for Thinking...

We are always seeking to see the good in situations now, how will it benefit us immediately? How will it serve us and affect us right now? We can believe we're working for God's glory in everything we do, strive hard to do the right thing, and then fail to see how it brings good to our lives. This can be discouraging. But I've noticed that patience and trust in God's plan is the best. You live a godly life but its not for your own glory, it's all for God's glory. You aren't doing it to reap the benefits, your doing it because its right. Besides, thinking that you have to work your way to heaven is wrong, it lowers God's role in our life. By thinking that we can work our way to heaven we are saying to God, "Your sacrifice was not good enough, I have to help you along and help myself along." If that isn't prideful, I don't know what is...

Every thing that you do where your heart motive is to truly bring glory to God alone, God will bless you for. Whether its on earth or in heaven, he is so willing to give good gifts to those who believe and trust him. Even when a situation seems hard, even when you wonder if its worth it to do the right thing, just remember that God will not forget your trust. It's a great source of joy to work for the glory of God and then later, look back, and see how God used it.

One other thing I want to expand on, God is ready to reward those who bring him glory. Isn't that amazing? We all deserve Hell, but he not only sacrificed his son for us and then he saved us, he now rewards us! He sacrified his only son for his creation and then welcomed us as children. We certainly don't deserve any of this, but because of his unfailing and everlasting love we not only live and breath, but live happily. Knowing that we deserved Hell can make you grateful for anything, can't it? And also knowing that God forgave us is a good motivation to forgive others no matter what they do, not forgiving someone is never justified.

Mercy: not giving us what we do deserve

Grace: giving us what we don't deserve