It is uncommon to see people who are troubled in mind comporting themselves, rather, they move about with gloomy and moody faces. As a matter of fact, it’s difficult to find such people comforting, encouraging, or attending to peoples’ needs.
When Jesus met the multitude of people after He was told of the beheading of John the Baptist, He did not send them away giving the excuse of His mind state. The fact that His forerunner (John), who proclaimed His coming and also doubles as a relation has been beheaded, was enough a reason to dismiss the crowd. Rather, He was moved with compassion (Matthew 14:14) and healed their infirmities. He didn’t need to go for days of fasting and prayer to reposition His mind, but He knew He was made for such occasions. Jesus did not only heal their sicknesses, but also put smiles on their faces by feeding them all.
Does the thought of putting smile on peoples faces cross your mind when troubled, or rather people should put smile on your face? Don’t forget that the Christian is a packaged solution to the world’s problems. Discharge your duties faithfully, even when you don’t feel like doing it, remember it goes beyond your momentary feelings.
adeyiga awomuti
May I be free to ask what we do about the sorrowful news we hear at certain periods in life? How many hours, days, or weeks do we spend thinking about the news? At such times, our minds can’t just stop being perturbed over the fact that, ‘why is this happening now’, ‘why me’, ‘why friends or relations?’ Most times, we get off such thoughts when they are overtaken by some other events, or we’ve just listened to some music appealing to the mind based on our moods. Despite these conventional options that characterises our painful moments, I think we can detach ourselves from such, by learning from Christ.
In Matthew 14:13, when Jesus heard of the beheading of John the Baptist, He immediately withdrew to a desert place. He did not do that because of fear or that he may go to weep. We’ll find out in verse 23 the main reason for his withdrawal, though He was temporarily halted by His passion for some sick and hungry people, vs. 13-21.
Instead of Jesus complaining, crying or thinking excessively about the sorrowful news of John the Baptist, He was determined to go and pray. Would you choose to follow after Jesus exemplary life, or you would like to continue in the conventional way of freeing one’s mind from troubling news?
– adeyiga awomuti