I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.
-Philippians 4:12

As I poured the powdered sugar into my coffee this morning, I suddenly became acutely aware that things were pretty tight this month. Just like that, in an instant, I felt the sting of a less than full bank account.

Never mind the monolithic pile of late bills, looming over the counter like some sad game of Jenga...daring me to try my luck. I can live with that. Never mind the increasing probability of cooking that dry bag of pinto beans that has been in the cupboard since time immemorial. I was able to stomach all of that until the powdered sugar. For me, it is all about the coffee.

Do you have any idea what is in powdered sugar? The bag smartly displays its chief ingredients: sugar and cornstarch. Even though I didn't like it, I was grateful for it. Truly.

I only mention this story because it caused me to really think about how differently people view hardship. In fact, our views on hardship can change from time to time, based on what it is we feel we are lacking. To most of the world, having coffee at all would be a great blessing, much less sugar and cornstarch to go with it. I can internalize that fact and connect the dots, yet still feel hardship when powdered sugar is all I have, because I am used to having more.

Others are even worse. My point, is that, from a ministerial perspective, we must minister to the feelings of hardship that others are having...not necessarily the quantitative cause of that hardship, based on what we, ourselves, believe hardship to be. Many times, we can be glib or uncaring when someone laments over a supposed loss that we think is not actually a valid loss at all. We judge others because we think they are being ungrateful. We think that they have it all and that they shouldn't be complaining.

There are people in the world, living in poverty such that even the poorest westerner seems like a fattened king. I get that. However, in ministering to others, we must remain focused on our compassion for people who are experiencing feelings of hardship or suffering. We don't get to decide what another person considers those feelings to be. True, we might be able to lend some perspective on how others in the world suffer too, but they will never change their mind, feel served or cared for if we arbitrarily dismiss their plight just because our life is less comfortable than theirs.

What is the secret of contentment in times of hardship or lean? Look at what how Paul finished the above scripture:

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
-Philippians 4:13

Everything...not some things; not certain things; no...everything, including feeling genuine compassion for those who have comfortable or even luxurious lives that greatly exceed the financial caliber of our own.

It's easy to have compassion for those who are less fortunate than we are. It's another thing, altogether, to stop envying our financially blessed brothers and sisters long enough to minister to their hearts. Dig deep. Jesus will give you the strength, and the perspective, to do this.

We must not focus on the object of someone's loss or hardship; rather, we should bring that person to the foot of the cross, where true consolation is to be found. You never know--Maybe it will be because of your willingness to not judge them that will cause them to see things the way you do.

I think I'll go get another cup of coffee with powdered sugar now.