The book of Esther records an interesting story (Please read the full story in Esther 5). Haman is the emperor’s most trusted advisor. Everything is going right for this man. He is, after all, the second to the emperor in the kingdom. The emperor, at Haman’s advice, has just signed an edict that on a certain day, all Jews will be killed. Haman has riches, he has glory, he has honor, he has many sons, and if this isn’t enough, he has just had the honor of being the only invited guest to a feast with the emperor and empress! And to top it all off, he was invited for a second banquet, again as the only honored guest, the very next day. In fact, the Bible records that, “Haman went out that day happy and in high spirits.” (Esther 5:9 NIV)
But something happens…
We pick up the story in Vs 10: “But when he saw Mordecai at the king’s gate and observed that he neither rose nor showed fear in his presence, he was filled with rage…” (Esther 5:10 NIV). Haman went home then, called in his friends and his wife, spent the next while boasting to them about his wealth, his sons, the honour the King had bestowed upon him, etc. But then he says, in his words: “But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate.” (Vs. 13 NIV)…
One negative thing, and Haman couldn’t even find happiness in all that he had been blessed with…
Have you ever fallen into this self-same trap?
I have. Just this morning, in fact…
First I received a text about someone I had been praying for who had fallen into sin. In the text, I learned that this person had repented and made a public confession. I was sooo happy!
Next I received a call from my son. Their dog was recently diagnosed with glaucoma. We had been praying for him, and his check-up that morning showed the glaucoma was much less. Praise God.
Unfortunately, those two spiritual “highs” didn’t stay with me. You see, first a wild coyote came out while my dog was on her run. My pup decided it would be fun to “play” with the wild dog, and she refused to obey when I tried to call her back. Only by the grace of God was she not hurt. Yes, that should have been another “praise God”, right? But instead of thinking about that, I focused on the fact that she could have been seriously hurt…
About a half an hour later, my kids and I went up to see my husband at the nursing home where he lives. We brought a Father’s Day card and some ice cream, intent on having a little “Father’s Day” celebration. Before we had even found his room, I was accosted by his doctor. And yes, “accosted” would be the correct term. I won’t burden you with the doctor’s message. Suffice is to say, this doctor does not appear to like my husband, and his words to me are always cruel and hurtful. This time was no different, I was soon reduced to tears. All thoughts of the two—or were there actually three?—miracles were erased from my mind, and all I could see was the cruelness of the doctor and how my dog had nearly been “killed” by the coyote…
It is the human propensity to see the negative rather than the positive. A quick Google search reveals that research suggests a ratio of five positive interactions are necessary to counter one negative one. Meanwhile, when these negative things happen, we either don’t see or we forget God’s blessings, and we are left wondering why God doesn’t bless us.
But He does! Abundantly! Even though Haman wasn’t serving God, was he not the richest, most influential personal in all of the kingdom? Had I not had two huge answered prayers and evidence of God’s protective power that self-same morning?
The point is, God’s blessings do flow. The Psalmist puts it this way: “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalms 23:6 NIV).
The problem isn’t the lack of blessings, it is simply that we tend to focus on the negative.
Does it seem to you that God isn’t blessing you? Then shift your thoughts away from the trials and the negative circumstances. Instead, “…whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV) When you do, you will completely avoid the pitfalls of Haman—And my own as well!—and you will be able to identify the goodness and love of God that follows you all the days of your life!
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart
Author, Moderator, Acting Director, Answers2Prayer Ministries
