Levi was praying at the foot of his bed just like he did every night before going to bed. "Here I am again, O Lord, as I always am every night." And then he added, "Sometimes twice in a single night."
"You may have noticed that I sit on the front row at church, listen intently to the minister, and always sing loudly when there are songs to sing. I tithe 10% of the little that I get from you. I even take a break at lunch and find a quiet corner and say my prayers, imploring you to treat me and my family more generously."
He went on to say, "But I must admit that I am getting discouraged. Not much has changed. The dog still tries to bite me when I come home. My wife and children ignore me, and we seem to catch every sickness that goes around.
"So what I would like to know is - why is it that we live in a state of misery, while my neighbor, Bloom, who never prays or goes to church has such good luck? His wife and children adore him. His dog never bites him. He has a wonderful life. Everything he touches turns to gold.
"So what I want to know is - why is it that I pray and pray and pray and never get anything but pain and bad things, while Bloom, who totally ignores you, is always blessed in every way. Why is this Lord? . . . Why? . . . Why?"
There was a moment of silence and then a voice boomed down from heaven that said, "BECAUSE HE ISN'T ALWAYS BUGGING ME! THAT' S WHY!"
I don't know about you, but I'm with Bloom. God has already given each of us all we could possibly need to live a happy and prosperous life. If we lack, it is because, like Levi, we believe in lack. Bugging God to get what has already been given cuts off your supply. You always experience what you believe in your heart. And this knowledge should help you know how you can enjoy your life in spite of it all!
"You may have noticed that I sit on the front row at church, listen intently to the minister, and always sing loudly when there are songs to sing. I tithe 10% of the little that I get from you. I even take a break at lunch and find a quiet corner and say my prayers, imploring you to treat me and my family more generously."
He went on to say, "But I must admit that I am getting discouraged. Not much has changed. The dog still tries to bite me when I come home. My wife and children ignore me, and we seem to catch every sickness that goes around.
"So what I would like to know is - why is it that we live in a state of misery, while my neighbor, Bloom, who never prays or goes to church has such good luck? His wife and children adore him. His dog never bites him. He has a wonderful life. Everything he touches turns to gold.
"So what I want to know is - why is it that I pray and pray and pray and never get anything but pain and bad things, while Bloom, who totally ignores you, is always blessed in every way. Why is this Lord? . . . Why? . . . Why?"
There was a moment of silence and then a voice boomed down from heaven that said, "BECAUSE HE ISN'T ALWAYS BUGGING ME! THAT' S WHY!"
I don't know about you, but I'm with Bloom. God has already given each of us all we could possibly need to live a happy and prosperous life. If we lack, it is because, like Levi, we believe in lack. Bugging God to get what has already been given cuts off your supply. You always experience what you believe in your heart. And this knowledge should help you know how you can enjoy your life in spite of it all!