This morning, I heard a very profound young black radio talk show host by the name of Craig Johnson on the news. I emphasize his race because I will otherwise be discredited because he was primarily talking to blacks, but applied his words to everyone, me included.
He was asked about the video being shown in a Virginia public school, emphasizing the unfair way blacks have been treated. No denying that. He mentioned that Muslims have enslaved Jews, Europeans have enslaved other Europeans. Native Americans have been shamefully treated by our government. Women have been mistreated by men. Today, women are mistreating the unborn by terminating their pregnancy. Mistreatment has been going on since the dawn of time. Cain killed his own brother because God appreciated Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. Cain knew what to sacrifice but didn't and suffered the consequences. That's another event for another blog.
Today's blog is about attitude, specifically thinking the world is fixed and you can't get ahead because of the color discrimination or the glass ceiling women bump up against climbing the corporate ladder or whatever else you think is repressing your brilliance. Mr. Johnson's astute comments were not only historical, he actually had a fantastic suggestion for today's world - unlike those who foster resentment, hate, and feelings of futility and failure,
After he made his statements regarding how wrong it is to constantly think and whine about the unfairness of the world, he was asked what he would do if he were making the video. "I would promote those who have made it." There it is. Focusing on the past is well known to cause depression.
However, if blacks, Asians, Europeans, Native Americans or any race or ethnic background are honored because of their accomplishments (not the color of their skin), others of that same race or ethnicity can follow their example and make their own lives better. Jews have been mistreated more than any group in history and their list of accomplished people is awesome. Strangely enough, I can't remember their names but I can remember the names of many accomplished blacks. For example, George Washington Carver was born in slave times and look what he accomplished. Same with Mary Bethune, founder of Bethune Cookman college. (I studied her in college because she was a Moody graduate) In today's world, we have a myriad of blacks who have made it, including one who currently holds the most powerful position in the world. Whites couldn't hold him back. It's too bad he doesn't credit the whites who put him into that position. Bad attitudes are never satisfied. They're black holes that gobble up positive ideas. Ideas that could have taken someone where they wanted to go in life.
I remember Charleton Heston saying years ago the number of actors who didn't make it were astronomical compared to those who did. There's probably 100 Michael Jordan wannabes for every basketball player who actually becomes rich and famous. In fact, there was a recent Facebook post in which Michael Jordan listed his failures. He may have done that to encourage the recent quarterback who lost the SuperBowl. Quarterback Cam was the darling of football because he was so young and had done so well, but he met more than his match against Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Then, people began dissing him right and left. Why? It had nothing to do with the color of his skin, or even his team's loss. It had everything to do with his bad attitude.
Speaking of football, one coach has been known to keep a losing score on the scoreboard until the next game to remind the team of their failure. Not a good idea in relationships according to Joe Stowell, former President of Moody Bible Institute. Negative thinking, especially self-pity, traps people into thinking there's no hope or blaming someone else for failure. Or both.
The past two Sundays, our pastor has been speaking on I Thessalonians 5:16 - 18. Verse 16 says: "Be joyful always." In other words, have a great attitude. Verse 17 says, "Pray continually." Take action. Talk to the Lord about it. Verse 18 says: "Give thanks in all circumstances." Accept what's going on in life.
I suppose if someone has to be blamed for life not going the way I want, it's because I have surrendered my life to the Lord and He knows what's best for me. Yes, I have to admit there are times I feel sorry for myself because things aren't going my way. However, the Lord always sends someone along to remind me that He's in control. Today it was Craig Johnson and Joe Stowell. Thank you, Lord, for being in control and making sure I have a good attitude, take action, and gratefully accept what comes in my life.
While listening and them to Craig and Dr. Stowell, I was reminded of the events in Joseph's life. Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused by a woman, forgotten by another slave, God still did incredible things in his life. I guess I trying to say in all this, it's God who decided who's going to do what in life. When the time came, Joseph could have made life very miserable for his brothers. Instead, he honestly said, "What you did, you meant for evil, but God meant it for good."
God is weaving all our lives in a beautiful tapestry. Unfortunately, all we see is the back side of it, where all the knots and crossed threads are. It's only when we see it from His perspective do we realize how beautiful He has made life for us. Finally, let's all turn off the negative thinking for a better attitude, proper action, and gratitude.
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