Compensation

 

Recently during a church sermon our pastor shared about a time in his life when he had been unfairly wounded emotionally and had struggled with working through the situation. It resonated deeply with me as there have been times in my life when I felt used and unfairly treated. So it is, I imagine, with everyone at some point in their lives.

I’ve come to a point in my Christian walk where I can honestly say to myself that if I need defending, God will defend me. Yet in my own sinfulness and pride I still replay events and justify myself to Him – God, who did not withhold His own Son; Jesus, who died for me and His Holy Spirit, my life’s Counsellor and Guide.

One thing I learned over the course of my life is that God honours giving. We give tithes and offerings, directly through donations and indirectly through blessing others with our time, talents and resources. We do it because it honours the God who’s given us so much. When we give, He gives back in so many unexpected ways.

When we are unfairly treated God will always attend to the situation and in His way, He will compensate. It involves a lot of trust and in many cases a lot of forgiveness. Forgiveness is something that does not come easily to me. I’ve read many books and online advice but when it gets down to it I think it’s a gift of grace from God. With some people it seems like an innate talent, but I have to plead with God to remove the unforgiveness from my heart and help me to forgive even when I don’t want to.

Strangely, when the compensation comes, it may not matter in itself. It will be in God’s way and in God’s timing. There are lessons to be learned. I’ve been overwhelmed to the point of tears by unexpected circumstances which demonstrate the loving concern God has for me. Knowing God, trusting Him, appreciating all the blessings He pours out, learning more of His ways and growing deeper in a loving relationship with Him – these are true treasures.

This is where the prosperity doctrine is so fallible. It highlights earthly wealth instead of eternal blessings. It emphasizes the gift rather than the Giver.

My pastor, in his sermon, related that the time he struggled with his hurtful situation became a time of deep learning. His candour blessed many I'm sure.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for all the blessings that You pour out on my life every day, most of all the blessing of salvation through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your loving care in each and every situation. Forgive me for the times I’ve held long accounts in unforgiveness and judgement. Help me to always keep my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, comforter and guide. Thank you most of all for your love. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen

 

I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—

the great locust and the young locust,

the other locusts and the locust swarm  —

my great army that I sent among you.

You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,

and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,

who has worked wonders for you;

never again will my people be shamed.

Then you will know that I am in Israel,

that I am the Lord your God,

and that there is no other;

never again will my people be shamed. Joel 2:25-27