What to do when your own folks look down on you

Jabez was a good man.

An Inspiring Devotional Featuring a Bible Verse, Thought and Prayer

Photo Credit Miroshini Chenko

The Bible says he was more honourable than his brothers.

However, when he was born, he was given a name which did not match his character and conduct.

His name meant ‘he makes sorrowful’ or “he causes pain”

It was not an outsider who gave him this awkward, unpleasant name but his own mother.

This idea of being someone who causes pain must have been heavy upon Jabez as he grew up.

Just imagine being called “Pain” by family, friends, relatives, and socially.

His name and identity frustrated, saddened, and disappointed him.

There was just one way out of this stigma for Jabez.

God alone.

So Jabez prayed.

He asked God to bless him greatly and abundantly.

He asked God for bigger influence and opportunity.

He asked for God’s hand to be with him to lead him.

He asked God to protect him from temptation, from evil people and to prevent him from causing pain to others.

GOD ANSWERED ALL HIS PRAYERS.

His identity was transformed.

There are two simple yet powerful lessons to be learnt from this unusual story mentioned in the Bible.

God answers prayers and transforms lives.

But first, we must follow what Jabez did.

1. Honour God and have a relationship with Him.
2. Live to do good.
3. Go to Him for solving problems that are impossible for man to solve.
4. Pray intently.

Prayer: 

Father God, I choose to honour you. I choose to please you with a life filled with prayer, thanksgiving and praise. I come to you for issues and problems in my life that no man can solve. I pray that you will turn around those areas of my life that are frustrating, disappointing and painful. Give no one the authority to look down on me for I am your child. I pray that beginning today you would:

Bless me.

Increase my influence to reach new heights.

Expand my territory.

Keep me from temptations, from every kind of evil and from doing wrong to others.

Be with me and help me achieve my life, career, family, and business goals.

In Jesus Name I Pray.

Amen.

Bible Passage:

Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez,^[c] saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” ¹⁰ Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.

1 Chronicles 4