Who Am I to Judge?

“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10

Sometimes I am tempted to think that others have a much easier life than I do. After all, I have cancer--what could be worse than that?! I look at their problems, and I can’t believe what they are whining about. Even their fears seem incredibly silly when I consider that I am fighting for my life. I think, “Really, you’re losing sleep over THAT?! You will at least LIVE through it!” One day I was listening to “Joni and Friends”, a Christian radio program. The speaker, Joni Eareckson Tada, has been a quadriplegic since she had a diving accident as a teenager. She is an incredible role model for all who suffer, demonstrating joy and complete trust in God during all her struggles. That day, however, in my state of self-righteousness and self-pity, I said to myself, “Well, even Joni doesn’t have it so bad. After all, she is able to live with her disability.” Right after I had this thought, the radio announcer asked the listeners to pray for Joni, as she had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. The Holy Spirit immediately convicted me of my sinful attitude. Who am I to judge another’s problems, to rate them as if some are less important than others? God listens to ALL our troubles, and He responds with compassion and mercy. When I judge, I’m not helping anyone, least of all myself. I believe it pleases God more to hear my prayers for others than my prayers for myself. Even Job, one of the most afflicted yet faithful believers in the Old Testament, was not restored until after he had prayed for his friends. I thank Him for the blessing and privilege of praying for others, and for all the faithful servants who have poured out their hearts on my behalf. What a gift He has given us in one another!

Lord, help me to take all my thoughts captive to You! Let me not wallow in self-pity, but let me devote myself to praying for all those who need Your care, Your healing, and Your peace. Let me not forget what You have done for me, and let me be an instrument of hope for others. The privilege of praying for those in the world is one of the greatest blessings in this life. Thank you, Lord, for showing me how to live obediently and abundantly.