“I D ON ’ T D ESERVE T HIS !” There are many things we do NOT deserve!! Statement often spoken in the form of complaint …

 Salvation – (and every spiritual blessing )– “we are saved by grace through faith” – Ephesians 2:8; Romans 3:23; 1 Corinthians 15:10 ;  Physical blessings – health, lot in life, length of life, etc.... Ecclesiastes 9:11,12

Æsop. (Sixth century B.C.) Fables. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14. T HE SLUGGARD – Proverbs 6:6-9; Matthew 25:26; 2 Thessalonians 3:10 T HE SELFISH – Luke 12:13-21; 1 Timothy 6:7-10; 2 Timothy 3:2

 Injustices should be fought against – James 4:17; Matthew 25:34-40  But we must also remember – there will always be those less fortunate – there will always be injustice – Matthew 26:11; Mark 14:7; Deut. 15:11; Eccl. 7:8-15

 E VE – Genesis 3:1-6  C AIN – Genesis 4:3-8  E SAU – Hebrews 12:16,17  A CHAN – Joshua 7:20,21  K ORAH – Numbers 16:1-3; Jude 11

 A HAB – 1 Kings 21:1-16  S CRIBES & P HARISEES – Matthew 23:5,6  J EWS – Romans 11:6  J UDAS – Matthew 26:14-16  F ALLEN ANGELS – 2 Peter 2:4

“ Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be of a humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” P ROVERBS 16:18,19

“ Before destruction the heart of a man is haughty, and before honor is humility.” P ROVERBS 18:12

“ A man's pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor.” P ROVERBS 29:23

 J OB – Job 1,2; James 5:11  J OSEPH – Genesis 37;39;40  P AUL – 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 12:7-10; Philippians 3:1-11; 4:4-13

 J ESUS – Birth (Luke 2:7); Life (Luke 9:57,58); Betrayal (John 13:21); Suffering (Luke 22:39-45); Trial (Luke 22:47-53, 63-71) 23:1-25) Crucifixion (Luke 23:26-56)

 It is easy to grumble, complain and worry when something happens to us that we perceive as unfair – Matthew 6:19-34; 1 Peter 5:7  It is easy to be jealous, envious and even bitter – Ephesians 4:31

 There will be times when things don’t go our way. (We lose friends, a spouse, our job, our health...) – Ecclesiastes 4:1-16  Life isn’t fair – Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

“ Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” P HILIPPIANS 4:11,12

“ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” P HILIPPIANS 4:13

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you. So we may boldly say: "The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” H EBREWS 13:5,6

 What happens TO US is not the issue—but HOW we respond  Does God care?  Why me Lord?  This isn’t fair?  I don’t deserve this!!  Trust the Lord…

 The Battle is NOT EXTERNAL BUT INTERNAL — 2 Corinthians 11:24-28; Job 14:1  Understand the purpose of the trials — James 1:2-5; 1 Peter 1:5-9

 Don’t blame God— Job 1:22  Look toward the reward— 2 Corinthians 4:16-18; 1 Peter 1:9