Staff Writer - Audrey Linton
Mothers be careful of the name that you give to your child!
I’m sure you wouldn’t name your child ‘sorrow’ or ‘pain’ just because you went through a painful pregnancy or a stressful time when you were carrying your child – would you?
Well, I read a story of a mother who did exactly that – she named her child Jabez which means ‘sorrow’, because it seems as if she was in much sorrow at the time of his birth. (1 Chronicles 4 v 9 and 10)
Imagine having that start in life! Being named ‘sorrow’ had a massive impact on Jabez as it seemed nothing went his way. I suppose it is slightly selfish of his mother to impose her pain onto him – how could she? What was she thinking?
Oops, perhaps I may need to retract a little because I think we all have a tendency to do that, don’t we?
Anyway let’s pause for a moment and consider his mother. There is very little information about her, or indeed about Jabez. Only two verses in the entire Bible is dedicated to them. I quote:
Jabez was more honourable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, saying, “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. (NIV 1 Chronicles 4 v 9 and 10).
We cannot surmise the type of pain she went through. The verse suggests that she had a painful pregnancy, or perhaps she was going through a painful time in her life? Whatever it was it seemed that her pain had affected her very soul and somehow she wanted to hold onto that pain, hence the reason why she may have named her child ‘sorrow’.
Photo courtesy egoisticlife.com
Now poor Jabez, can you imagine how much he must have been teased by his brothers or other peers? I’m sure he had self esteem issues and even felt like a failure at times!
However, one day, all that changed. Jabez decided enough was enough and he called on the God of Israel as he believed it was time for turnaround. I believe his conversation with God would have sounded something like this:
‘It’s time to bless me – its time to take away my pain and for me to have success. Let me stop being so small minded and only focussing on my pain. Extend your arm of favour to me and let me not settle for average or below average. Let your hand of blessing be with me. I don’t want to cause pain to others – as you know I have a reputation for causing pain – so keep me from harming myself and others.’
And God granted him his request! Wow – just like that!
So have you experienced pain that you believe has stunted your progress? Does that pain play on your mind every day? Then let’s examine the secrets of Jabez transformation:
He called on the name of the Lord. He stopped blaming his mother or others for his predicament, but he looked to the one who had the solution.
He asked for success. If you do not ask for success, then it might not come your way! It’s not the lottery that makes you successful folks! Think about what you are speaking over your life? Negativity attracts negativity. Success attracts success.
He asked for a bigger vision. Jabez didn’t want to get stuck in a small-minded way of thinking. If you think you don’t have – then you won’t have! Even those with plenty still think they have nothing – your success begins with changing your thinking!
He knew where his provision came from. Jabez knew that God was not stingy – He is a loving and giving God.
God had the power to keep him from harm. Jabez request is a very interesting one. He wanted to be kept from harm and he didn’t want to cause any harm. Was Jabez revealing a little about his personality here – people had no doubt hurt him, but had he hurt people both physically and emotionally? Whatever it means he knew he didn’t want to do it any more!
God granted his request. Jabez persistence paid off. For one who had a bad start in life, he ended up more successful that his brothers.
Failure does not need to have the final word!
