All of us have problems. Few of us ever take the time to put those problems in perspective.
So God will sometimes do it for us. Every once in a while you’ll have experiences in your life that will reshape your paradigm and perspective forever. Irreversibly. I had one of those in Cuba in 2004.
I was on a short-term mission trip and was assigned to work with a pastor named, Daniel. His church was not very big but he had given up everything that he had to move to an impoverished island off of mainland Cuba. He makes $12 a month. Drives a moped 15-20 miles just to minister to people. And in the short time that I was there, he wore the same clothes almost every day.
BUT he loves his kids, loves his wife, and is winning half the island he lives on to Jesus Christ. He couldn’t be happier. Really. He even told me once not to feel sorry for him. Why? In Daniel’s own words:
In America you have stuff and trust in your money. We trust in God. You think that a man can be elected and save the world. We know better. So do not feel sorry for us. We feel sorry for you.
Try responding to that.
Daniel has learned something we all need to. He’s learned it’s more about your mindset than it is about your money. It’s more about your perspective than about your problems.
After spending some time with Daniel, I see my problems differently. Now, any time I’m tempted to feel sorry for myself or complain, I tell myself, try telling that to Daniel in Cuba.
I encourage you to do the same. It will give you a quick perspective check.
I don’t make enough money.
Try telling that to Daniel in Cuba.
$12 an hour vs. $12 a month.
I have to buy a used car because I can’t afford a new one.
Try telling that to Daniel in Cuba.
You could be driving a moped.
My clothes are so last season.
Try telling that to Daniel in Cuba.
He’s wearing the same clothes he did last Monday.
I (insert problem)…
Try telling that to Daniel in Cuba. Who despite the fact that he has bigger problems than most of us will ever have, chooses to not even see them as problems at all.
That’ll help us put our so-called problems in their proper perspective.
