~ Mope, Dope, or Hope and Cope ~
By Synthia Esther
"Consider it all complete joy, my brothers, when you become, in all sorts of trials, well aware that His testing of your faith brings our steadfastness." - James 1:2-3 When unwelcome situations and circumstances come your way, how do you handle the stress? When life brings sudden interruptions, what are your natural reactions? Do you mope? Turn to dope? Or say a prayer to God to help you cope with renewed hope? The story is told of "The Carrot, The Egg, and The Coffee Bean," bringing to light the personality differences within us all.
THE CARROT, THE EGG, AND THE COFFEE BEAN...
A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose. Her mother took her to the kitchen where she filled three pots with water, placing each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, 'Tell me what you see?' 'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied. Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee.
The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich flavor and smelled it's beautiful aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?' Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity; boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. It's thin outer shell had protected it's liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, it's inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.
'Which one are you?' She asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?
THINK OF THIS:
Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength? Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and harened heart? Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor.
If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate?
DO WHAT IS RIGHT, NOT WHAT IS EASY....
"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." - Hebrews 12:2-3.
"In Everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." - Matthew 7:11-12
"Better one handful with tranquillity than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind." - Ecclesiastes 4:6
"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." - Proverbs 29:11
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perserverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." - Romans 5:3-5
COPE AND HAVE HOPE IN THE LIVING GOD...
~ "This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our 'hope' in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe." ~ 1 Timothy 4:9-10
