Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain." Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harm, so that it might not bring me pain!” And God granted what he asked. —1 Chronicles 4:9 & 10, ESV
Jabez grew up with many anxieties inside him: that he would look funny dressed that way; that he would end up living worse than an untouchable; that people would see him as a worrywart and an insolent. He had all the reasons to worry; however, he was always tired at the end of the day. A hard day of toil, and no recognition. A full day of tears, and none could be wiped. He was tired of feeling let down by others for no apparent reason. He wanted --desperately wanted— a miracle!
Jabez grew up hearing of those amazing miracles of yesteryear: the plagues that razed Egypt to the ground. The parting of the Red Sea. The full day of sun at Gabaoth. As much as he asked his teachers for the whens, wheres, and whys, nobody could answer a question that could satisfy his curiosity. In fact, their ignorance whet their appetite and piqued his curiosity even more! If He could do that with Jabez's forefathers, why not with him? He had a right out of any other to enjoy a miracle!
"Oh, that you would bless me!", he asked from the bottom of his heart. And God answered... swiftly.