Those who work hard to do the right thing, to make an honest living, to live within our means, to save for years to purchase a house we can truly afford, to insure the health of our loved ones through the sweat of our brow....are persecuted, while those who choose the wide, easy road are rewarded.
Let us rejoice for what we have to suffer and for the crosses on our backs. They are our Way. He knows all, and allows only what is good for us. He will take care of everything, and vengeance is His.
If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you....And all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution....Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justice: for they shall have their fill....Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
12 comments:
Your post and Elizabeth Foss's post are excellent and timely.
After Sunday it was so easy for me to get bogged down in the yuck of it all.
These two posts help and so does lots of prayer. :)
I saw Elizabeth's post too and am in the dark - what on earth has happened? I seldom catch the news and US news isn't always available in detail here in England. We have had lots of hate-filled coverage of the Holy Father's visit here in Autumn and of the child abuse scandal that has made me very angry lately. And I have seen how even what appears to be "righteous anger" (ie because we love the Pope and it is all lies and nastiness) can fill me with bitterness and actual physical pain. I hope whatever affected you will soon pass.
This was a fabulous reflection and just what I needed to hear! Thank you! :)
Hi Lucy,
I am guessing this is about healthcare. I know that for someone from the UK, the emotions behind this issue are probably confusing. It would be as if a town decided to fund a public library or beach and there was a post about how "some of us work very hard to [buy books for ourselves/ own waterfront property] while those who take the easy road will now be rewarded by the ability to access [books /water]." For those on the other side of the pond, it's probably a little hard to see the persecution in all this; it just looks like the US is joining the rest of the world.
But it really is a very different culture here and some get very upset at what they perceive to be a reward of laziness and an extension of the modern welfare state in the form of wealth transfers from rich to poor. I think there are good arguments on both sides of the issue and agree with Kristin that anger is inappropriate. Blessings!
Thank you so much for this perspective! I, for one sure need it!
Is everyone who falls on hard times and is in need of public assistance to blame for their misfortunes? Sure, there are people who abuse the system- I have seen it, I know how frustrating it is.. but think of the positives that may eventually come about because of reform... I guess I have a different perspective. My brother was diagnosed with stage 4 Hodgkins when he was in his early twenties.. he had taken a semester off of college, and so was dropped from my parents coverage. He was working full time, but his employer did not provide coverage. If it were not for "indigent care"- paid for by the taxpayers- my brother may not have lived. Now he is an RN, and has given back, many times, every dime that was spent on his care.
Now, I know that current events are not the focus of this blog....so I will stop now.. but first I must say this: in spite of whatever anger you may be experiencing, try to think of the sufferings of hard working people who must live without basic care for themselves and their children. Feeling compassion for people whom we perceive as being "lazy," or "working the system" is tough, but as Christians, we are called upon to see Christ's presence in EVERYONE. God bless.
Thank you for this, Kristin. Among other things, the events of this week have made me more determined to teach my children the faith and prepare them for anything that is to come.
God bless you,
Erica
Anon 3, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make a universal statement, though I can see how it was perceived that way. I've known many friends who have benefitted from government help in the form of welfare, food stamps, etc, for various reasons. I'm all for it in instances like your brother's situation and for those who truly are in need. I only meant to suggest that for the rest, we might rejoice at our own personal injustice. (But nothing we suffer is truly "unjust", since we deserve those things for our sins. Hmmm.) On either side of the issue, the good can rejoice in their suffering.
Kristen, I thouroughly enjoy your blog and was so happy to see you posting again.
I read this blog post yesterday and was really saddened by your words. I think maybe I read into it a bit too much though because your reply to one of these anonymous posters really put your thoughts in perspective for me.
I too have recieved government assistance with health care and my husband and I will be happy to continue "paying back" for it for the rest of our lives. We were married almost five years ago and were surprised to be blessed with a honeymoon baby. We knew that our little one came AFTER the wedding but my husbands insurance didn't see it that way and considered my pregnancy a PRE-existing condition because of my cycle dates. I was able to recieve prenatel care for the first eight months of our pregnancy because of the governments assistance. We did finally get everything sorted out, but I just wanted to share with you an instance where government health care can be a mighty blessing. Didn't mean for this comment to get so long!
Thank you for the clarification!
Yes, my husband said it would likely be health care when I was talking about the couple of posts I had seen.
It does seem very odd to me that this is a problem. I really don't mind free-at-point-of-use healthcare philosophically - although it often seems that those who contribute least seem to use the services most. I get more hot under the collar about other issues with our government. Lots of people were very worried about it when our NHS was brought in, but overall it works okay. I suppose because it has been this way for 60-70 years it just seems normal to us.
Oh Emily, I am so sorry. Sometimes I don't express my thoughts very clearly in writing. Sometimes I post too quickly before reading my words thoroughly. It isn't a small fault. If we bloggers are going to post our words for the public, they should be clear before hitting the "publish" button.
I am most certainly in favor of government assistance when necessary. It is a beautiful expression of charity.
I hope you'll accept my apology. Perhaps I should revise my words tonight. :)
The real debate does not lie in whether or not there should be assistance available for those in need. Of course there should be! It is a difference of opinion in the source and delivery of that charity.
Some in the USA want the government to handle assistance programs. They want to fund said programs with higher taxes. If you have a moral objections to some of the services being offered (i.e. - abortion, contraception, Viagra for s*x offenders)...well, you're out of luck. The government takes your money and spends it however it wishes, and generally does so in a very inefficient way. There are regulations and arbitrary rules that often are nonsensical.
Some in the USA want the government to let the churches and private charities handle assistance programs. They feel that local and specialized charities are more efficient and deliver more appropriate help. Private donations (facilitated by lower taxes or bigger tax breaks for these types of donations) would fund the programs. Citizens would be free to choose which charities they would like to support. These programs would run at a much lower cost - they would not be burdened with a bureaucracy and one size fits all solutions.
The end result can be the same - people in a time of need are given a hand. The methodology and impact on the country is different and individual freedom is preserved.
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