USA! – USA! – USA!

Lately I have been besieged with folks writing me and letting me know that they are down and out to the point of having lost their spirit. Things have been going bad in their personal lives, jobs, the economy, the world, and who knows what else. Hmmm I have a tough time generating sympathy to be honest with you. I believe that too much time in this country is spent in feeling sorry for ourselves.

Jeez look around at some of the other economies around the world and some of the war torn countries and famine and disease. Here in the good old USA we have it made! Wannabe politicians try to paint this great country as if it is a horrible place to live and form their campaigns around change, when in reality it is the greatest place to live in the world. Part of the problem is the entitlement mentality that so many people have, whereby they think that they are entitled to a life of bliss devoid of any pressure and all good things should just be given to us by a benevolent country, God, or loving neighbor. .

According to the Bible our days will be “short and full of trouble”. God told Adam in the Garden of Eve as He was casting them out, that even the ground was cursed because of his sin and even in spite of his difficult toil that would bring sweat upon his brow, that the ground would yield thorns and thistles along with the bread that he would eat. We have not been promised a cake walk. We were created to live in a beautiful garden and all would have been bliss if it had not been for sin entering our lives.

Hey but it did! So why not just accept that things are not going to be perfect all of the time and maintain a positive attitude? In this great country we have the freedom to start a business or work for whomever we choose. My first several jobs were not fun and the pay was awful, but instead of thinking, “poor little old me” and whining about it, instead I poured everything I had into each of my jobs and ended up being promoted eight times in just two years to better positions. Later I took what I had learned and went on to starting my own businesses and success came my way due to my hard work and perseverance.

My family has suffered tragedy like most families experience at times, but you know, life goes on for those left behind and we must not dwell on it. We must learn from it and use it to strengthen our character and our resolve. I think the number one reason most people fail in what they attempt is that they do not persevere and hang in there, especially when the going gets tough. With me it was easy, I knew I was not going to inherit a kingdom, nor was I going to win the lottery, nor would some smooth talking liar politician give me a free ride. I knew that the harder and smarter I worked at my job and my personal life, the better things would be for me; otherwise I would be a loser.

Through it all I maintained my faith in God and His word and I am always looking for that day when God will call me home to paradise and my days of “life being short and full of trouble” will be over as will the good fight that I have fought.

Don’t feel sorry for yourself today; feel alive and glad that you live in the greatest country in the world with opportunity literally around every corner. Distinguish yourself with your work ethic and perseverance and most of all by demonstrating your faith and love for your Holy Father God almighty!

Sin brought death, destruction, sorrow, sadness, and tears. Fortunately God did not abandon us even though sin separated us from His loving spirit. He sent Jesus to die for our sins and restore our relationship through His grace and sin is defeated. This should be kept in the uppermost point of our minds and will enable us to maintain the positive attitude that is needed even in the face of trouble. Life will still be tough on occasion, but with God’s help we can do anything.

Romans 5:14
For sin shall not have dominion
over you, for you are not under the law
but under grace.