Life gets messy and the only constant in our lives is change. So, how, then, can we be thankful when life seems out of control?
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 New American Standard Bible
The first time I heard this Scripture, I was pumped, thinking Great, no matter what, I will be smiling even in the face of adversity. And that did work…for the next 5 minutes…before life got messy.
Do you know what I mean?
Do you ever wonder HOW this is suppose to be done when you are feeling guilty for STILL having a haphazard life after being a Christian for a number of years?
Have you ever become angered when hearing this Scripture because it only magnifies the discomfort and the discouragement you are already facing?
Have you ever grown sad when someone recites this Scripture because you have tried to hard to do things right but kept feeling like a failure?
If you are tracking with me this far, I think I have a bit of encouraging news: being thankful 24/7 CAN be done. (Remember this: God would never proscribe something without first giving us the ability to do it). Here is how I am discovering HOW to be thankful…regardless of what comes my way:
First, find your courage. (Roar like a lion? Yes!)
The word ‘courage’ means heart. Thus to find courage, find your heart, expose your deepest thoughts and feeling as you are trying to figure out how God expects you to be thankful for the mess that is before you. Be real. Don’t stuff your frustrations deep down, thinking that someone might think poorly of you if you are not being that ‘super’ Christian. (The One that matters is God, anyways) Stand up and shout, and let your hair down in the presence of God, Himself. He already knows what you are thinking about the situation that is looming up before you, so talk/rant to Him. Watch God ‘show up’.
Think about this Scripture:
But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
Matthew 14:27 The Message (MSG)
The full Scriptural account is found in Matthew 14:22-36, and details Peter’s walking on the water as a storm was raging at sea and battering their fishing boat. The disciples freaked out and they let Jesus know their heart The storm was immense, and they feared for their lives. (They did not hole up in the corner of the boat as the waves came crashing down and began piously singing ‘Thank you, God, for all that is before us’!) The story ends by Matthew telling us that the disciples worshiped Jesus. I can almost hear those disciples on the boat saying a ‘thank you, Jesus. THANK YOU, Jesus!’
Here is the point that I am learning: If I am a phoney to myself, pretending that situations are always terrific, how then can I become thankful for such pretense? Rather, I CAN become thankful, when I see God revealing His heart to my broken and baffled heart.
Secondly, be vulnerable
. Take the mask off. This is not weakness, but transparency. Dare to be yourself, undiluted and 100% proof, quirks and all.
Here is a story that I think illustrates this point: Naaman, the leper! In 2 Kings 5:1-15 we read of his healing ONLY AFTER he submits to God’s way through the prophet Elisha. Naaman came to the place where he became desperate enough to step aside from following his own gods to try out what the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob could do for him. He decided that nothing else mattered but his finding help, and in doing so he willingly became vulnerable, dependent on another.
And in doing this, he not only found healing, but he discovered that Israel’s God trumped his gods, and was very thankful.
Being vulnerable IS SCARRY! Being vulnerable means that you need others, and that can be uncomfortable for some folks. But, here is what I am learning: being vulnerable makes me more quickly turn to God to seek His help. And, when I see Him helping me in my need, I am thankful.
In Summary, the question that I pose to myself is not is being thankful possible? Rather, I take myself by the nape of the neck and ask: are you ready to be courageous and vulnerable?
If God be for us, does it really matter, what others think as we go along our discipleship journey? Yes, we will make mistakes, but from them we will have opportunities to learn.
Be thankful,
– Michael
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