Human Pity, God's Love:

Remember in Genesis 50, when Joseph is talking to his brothers and says, in essence, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good?" )Genesis 50:20.)    That's such an important passage for us to keep in mind in various situations!

 

If we are handicapped or grieving, or struggling in any difficult situation, we may say that we don't want pity.  We may even resent the way some people treat us.  Many times, someone may do something for us, but give the impression that it's really an inconvenience.  People are in such a hurry today that they sometimes act like they really don't want to be bothered, even though they may be performing a kindness. This is not a good attitude; and obviously, people should perform their acts of helpfulness  joyfully and in a spirit of good will. 

 

Consider this, though. God loves His children.  Sometimes, His children need help; and God sends it--even when in the form of others whose assistance may not be given with wholehearted good cheer.  When we are in difficulty, when we feel alone in the world, we want and need the love that other human beings have to offer; but God is giving us something else--possibly even something more instructive.  He's showing us the love of a heavenly Father!  

 

It may even be that the person who starts out helping us through pity may learn how to show the love of Christ.  The person who first gives assistance to us grudgingly or hurriedly may come to appreciate the role they fill in the lives of those they help.  If not, we have the comfort of knowing that God is still making provision for our needs.

 

So the next time you feel all alone and people have made you feel like an inconvenience or a burden, the next time someone has come to your aid only reluctantly  or belatedly, at least you can take comfort in this:  That person may have meant it in pity, but God meant it in love.  I think if more of us who are disabled, lonely, grieving, or who need any kind of assistance from others could keep this in mind, we would probably be much happier--and that attitude of seeing God at work would radiate in our dealings with some of God's difficult people.