Many difficult circumstances have helped me remember to turn to God over and over. Every time I feel the rush of anxiety and panic and self-pity when some new challenge arises, I’m reminded to rely on God for help and comfort. The Bible verses that are so well-known have, by much use, become more and more a part of my default response in those times.
But…in my typical mode of wanting to figure it all out and understand exactly what God would want me to know and do, I know all the verses about casting anxiety on God or about how to view difficulties as growth opportunities. But I still feel angst about the circumstances and haven’t yet arrived at the contentment that Paul talked about in Philippians 4. I don’t naturally feel the joy that James instructed us to focus on in James 1. Dread rather than peace is still my usual underlying feeling.
So I took a day off work and intended to have a little retreat to figure out what I was missing in the formula for peace and joy. I’ve done that before, and it takes hours and hours of proactive sorting-through–by writing, talking to God, reading the Bible, singing, and quiet meditation–to first of all dig out what patterns of thinking I’ve been defaulting to, and then to find and focus on the Bible verses that challenge and correct my natural human ways of thinking. Often just reading Scriptures and even memorizing them makes a big difference, as the truth nudges out my twisted thought and reactive habits.
I preach at myself, even. Try it sometime! It’s amazing how just a little bit of objectivity helps. By addressing myself from a second-person perspective, I somehow can see in me what needs admonishing or correcting, teaching when I realize I’m ignorant, or rebuking when I realize I’ve slipped into rationalizing sin. Most of us could do this, if we asked ourselves, “What would I advise someone else to do if they were in my situation?” I’m convinced that most of the time, it’s not that we don’t know what’s right, it’s just that we either don’t want to actually do or obey what’s right or we get bogged down by the emotions of the situation and can’t think clearly. So by stepping outside myself (no, not literally but rather as a mindset), I can get my mind refocused.
Jesus promised that if we hold to his teachings, we’ll know the truth, and the truth will set us free. It’s not enough to know his truth, we have to hold to it, and that’s hard to do with all the distractions and lies we’re bombarded with in our daily lives.
So obviously I still haven’t figured out how to consistently overcome the pain and frustration and helplessness of very real problems that are beyond my control. I ask myself, “Self, what are you missing? Surely God has already told you in his Word the solution to either 1. your problem, or 2. your attitude about your problem.” I know that the Bible promises that God has revealed “everything we need for life and godliness,” and that it has answers for how to live life here in this life in preparation for the next one in heaven. I also know enough of God’s promises to trust that his goal is for us to be joyful and at peace, no matter what the circumstances we’re in.
I have to admit that I didn’t settle down and use much time on my day off to sort through this. I enjoyed the day and don’t regret how I spent it, but I didn’t devote as much time to facing my angst head-on and have felt it still working on me.
I have another couple of days off in a couple of weeks, so perhaps by then I’ll be really ready to proactively ponder all this.
All that said, as the title of this post suggests, I think I’ve gotten some hints through various Providential means that the changes I need to make have something to do with thankfulness and praise. I’ve known that I “ought to” be more expressive of gratitude and adoration to God, and my self-protective default to stoic unemotional rationalism (known in my family as “being a Swede” due to the baggage of my Swedish heritage) will require conscious effort to overcome. I had another day off this week (my birthday) and mostly spent it intentionally vegging out, but in a chunk of time alone, I was determined to try to talk to my Heavenly Daddy with only thanks and praise and not requests about my circumstances. I kept catching myself slipping, so I know I need to do that more.
Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” I know that verse very well. But I have to confess, upon rebuke (and encouragement) from that alter-ego preacher (and thank God I’m the only one who will ever hear her preach!), I haven’t truly submitted to the wisdom and truth of every part of the verse.
I believe in the disciplining hand of God as Hebrews 12 describes. I’ve learned and grown so much from turning to God for guidance and strength in every difficult circumstance. But obviously I haven’t believed this verse enough to just do it. I think I’m about ready to submit to God’s instructions, and not in a dry and rote way but rather with a humble, needy, yes grateful attitude.
I’m sure I am going to feel real foolish for taking so long to learn this.
Filed under: Treasure | Tagged: God's discipline, practical Christianity, praise, spiritual attitude, thankfulness, truth frees | Leave a comment »
Precious Promises 