Jabez was honorable above his brothers; but his mother
named him Jabez [sorrow maker], saying, because I
bore him in pain.
Jabez cried to the God of Israel, saying, Oh, that You
would bless me and enlarge my border, and that Your
hand might be with me, and You would keep me from
evil so it might not hurt me!
And God granted his request.
2 Chronicles 4:9, 10
This is a very well known story. Jabez life was not going
well. Nothing seemed be going well for him.
The bible tells us, “Jabez was honorable above his brothers,
but his mother named him Jabez [sorrow maker]”
As he grew up those words became a part of him. Every where
he went those words were being reinforced!
But this is the thing, his mother called him “Sorrow Maker”
because SHE had a painful experience!
It’s crazy to think how her experience shaped the life of her
son.
It’s sad because her truth was not Jabez’s truth. God did
not create Jabez to be a sorrow maker. That was not what
God had in mind when He made him.
Like Jabez, we have believed other people’s “truth”.
Just remember, thier truth no matter who they are
is their truth. It becomes your truth when you accept it.
For a season, “sorrow maker” was the truth Jabez lived
by. For a season he allowed his mother’s words to shape
him and define him.
What about you my friends? What “truths” have you
allowed into your lives?
For a long time I lived by other people’s truth’s. They
saw me a certain way and imposed what they saw.
But God showed me how to live by His truth! Taking advise
is okay, accepting correction is okay but I am constantly
reviewing what other people are trying to impose on me.
I want to live by God’s truth and not man’s.
The problem with living another person’s “truth” I found
is this, their truth always falls short of God’s truth. Their
“truth” always puts me in a box. It creates a very small
world to live in when God’s world is so much bigger and greater
than I can ever imagine!
Encouraging words from friends I accept, words that build
I accept, words that inspire me to be all that I am I accept
because that’s all in line with God’s truth. If it doesn’t
match up to His truth I probably won’t listen to it.
God wants us to break free of the negative words people
have spoken over our lives. We have to make a decision
to live by the real truth.
I am not saying stop listening to everyone. Instead I am
saying be more careful what you listen to. If it contradicts
what God has put in your heart then say no. Don’t just accept
anything anyone says.
Let’s get back to Jabez.
God’s plan for Jabez was to always bless, protect, and enlarge.
And when he realised what was happening he cried out to
God for help. And guess what, God granted his request!
Jabez was tired of living the way he was living. He wasn’t
happy with his circumstances. He didn’t want things to
remain the same any longer.
There was a time Jabez’s name was associated with sorrow but
God changed that and now it is associated with blessing!
What the enemy meant for harm God turned for good….
And He will do the same thing for you if you cry out to
Him.
So whose “truth” will you live your life by?
God bless you friends!!
Rolain
photo credit: google images
kingspeech 