From Rubble to RestorationSample

Attitude

Healing from any major disease or illness is hard.  Some days, it takes every ounce of strength you’ve got just to get out of bed. You need lots of determination and energy from the Lord as you heal.

Have you ever thought that you have an audience while you are on this healing journey? It may be your boss, a coworker, a friend or even your child.  Your attitude has an effect on those around you.  Like it or not, people are observing how you handle your illness.

Attitude is at the center of our story today in Nehemiah.  The nation of Israel needed some “can do” people who would work around the clock to rebuild the broken wall around Jerusalem.  This chapter names those folks who worked on the rebuilding project. Yet only one person was noted as doing his repairs “zealously.”  That was Baruch, son of Zabbai.  

So what did Baruch do that was so out of the ordinary? Did he encourage people?  Was he joyful no matter how tired he was? Was he happy when everyone else was not? 

Baruch was a great example of Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”  This lesson can be applied to your attitude with any task or work God gives you, but let’s focus on your actual healing journey.  It’s hard. It can be extremely difficult, and there are days you may want to throw in the towel.  But you have a great opportunity to be a light to the world as you depend on God for your healing.  

On those days when you question if you’ll ever be healed, your attitude alone can minister to the people around you.  You, too, can be zealous in the hardest journey of your life.  You can be a Baruch!

Questions:

1.  What is your attitude about your healing journey? 

2. Think about a time where you were zealous about a project, task or job. What made you feel that way?  Did others notice?

3. What are ways you can impact those around you as they watch you heal?