When life seemingly not going well, people often feel like a victim and ask:
- Why Me?
- Who Cares?
- What More Can I Do?
When we feel like a victim or see a negative circumstances, inevitably we look around to see who cares; and we are often met by apathy that leads to our own callousness as we surrender to pessimism and self-pity.
John O’Leary, who had 100% of his body burnt and lost all his fingers when he was a child, has all the reasons to lament. Recently he spoke at a conference in Las Vegas, and asked the audience to consider the fact that:
“You’re getting clean drinking water in a desert!”
“You’re dining on steak and lobster while listening to a great speaker.”
“‘Why Me?’ Why do we deserve this?”
That changed my perspective… to one of having plenty. From there the next two questions took on different meaning.
John O’Leary as a child
Then John went on to tell a touching story of how his negative outlook on life was changed by John Buck, a St. Louis baseball announcer, who challenged him to fight and overcome his circumstances; the rewards were signed baseball. His mom also insisted that he continue his piano lesson even though he is now without fingers!
Then the unbelievable happened.
John O’Leary sat at a piano and knocked out a beautiful rendition of ColdPlay’s “Scientist“. Audience moved in tears.
He just made my problems looked so small.
John O’Leary’s story also reminded me of a Christian hymn,
Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
In light of Jesus’ suffering and ultimate victory, our problems becomes nothing when compared to the glory and grace that we receive through Him.
Next time you feel like a victim, remember John O’Leary’s story. Ask yourself everyday these FAQs and calibrate your perspective.