Day 5 - Free to be Me

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, 'Because I bore him in pain.' And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, 'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.' So God granted him what he requested. 1 Chronicles 4:9-10


The stress of modern living is increasing heart trouble in society.  Everyone is trying to "make it".  We gotta keep up.  We are working just to earn and living.  Then, we are too exhausted to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  Sitting in subways, standing at bus stops, riding in cars lost in our thoughts and smartphones.  Trapped - too busy to enjoy life!

Jabez was trapped.  Israel was a tribal nation.  In tribal societies they live uncodified personal lives where relationship is valued over possessions.  They learn through constant conversing and sharing.  Steeped in oral tradition, what is spoken is of greater value than what was written.  We generally don’t see them exercising much individual agency.  We generally don’t see them trying to improve their own lives, alter their destinies or become a more admirable people.

But when Jabez's mother names him after her pain, he breaks the pattern with a powerful prayer.  Critics have called this prayer selfish.  I don't believe Jabez prayed because he was selfish.  I believe he prayed because he was selfless.  He did not want to cause pain to those around him.  He had no desire to live up to the label forced upon him.

Maybe you've been mislabeled, misdiagnosed or misunderstood.  No one expects anything out of you because they have already decided on who you are.  It's time you upset their prediction. Refuse to allow their opinion to become your reality. You will not be limited by race, sex, disability, size, education, neighborhood, economics or haters.  Pray this prayer of Jabez, today.  Instead of bringing pain , bring power. (To be continued)


Prayer:
'Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain.'

Go Deeper?
Genesis 11:1-3; Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 54:1-2; Daniel 11:32; Luke 10:19; Acts 1:8; 1Peter 4:12