I have "started a blog" now a few times, but never seem to get the product posted online. It is either too long, unfinished or does not capture the essence of what I want to say. I have the tendency to be a perfectionist and want to say everything that is in my mind, two things that do not work well in the fast-paced, twitter reality we live in. So instead, I will try to share my thoughts, raw and to the point. Starting now.
Today as I was driving to work the brakes went out on my truck. Scary. I stepped on the brake pedal and my foot hit the floorboard, nothing happened, I just kept rolling. I quickly pumped the brake pedal and managed to slow to a stop in the middle of the intersection. Thank God I was off the freeway and only about a mile from work. I was able to slowly make my way to work and park my truck.
This was an unexpected way to start the day, to say the least. I knew when I got up it was going to be a difficult day, I started losing my voice yesterday and this morning only squeaky sounds came from my mouth when I tried to talk. As a teacher, no voice equals challenging day.
The brake incident is coming on the heels of my truck getting broken into last week. It would seem my truck is going through a time of testing, and it is taking me along with it. Truck broken into, sick, brakes go out, money is tight. I am sure I am not the only one with problems and I am not trying to play the "I am worse off than you" game. So why tell you all this?
Perspective.
I find that difficulties bring the best perspective on life. Trials can bring on negative thoughts and some people react to conflict by questioning God's goodness, "Why is this happening to me?" or "God how could you let this happen to me?". But if you think about it, it is in the valleys of life that we gain perspective on how good we have it.
It is so easy to assume that problem free is normal. When things go right more often than not, it becomes what is expected. No longer is "the good life" seen as a blessing, but becomes expected, as if we are owed it or deserve it somehow. Trials remind me how good I really have it. When my brakes failed, it reminded me how thankful I am that they stopped my truck thousands of times before. When my stereo was stolen it made thankful that I was blessed to have a stereo in the first place. Being sick makes me so thankful to be healthy and helps me not to take "the good life" for granted.
I think this may be a little of the perspective Paul had in mind when he penned Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Read chapter 4 and you will see Paul is not giving some guarantee that Through Christ I can dunk, rather that through Christ I can be thankful in any situation God allows me to go through. It is through his perspective I can see past my situation to the truth that is the amazing provision of God in sustaining my life and saving me from eternal death.
I pray that Christ would give you a new perspective on any situation you are facing today.
Today's prayer:
Holy father, allow me to see this situation through your eyes, give me wisdom on how I can best glorify your name in the mist of my trial and help me to be thankful for the things I have taken for granted.
Today as I was driving to work the brakes went out on my truck. Scary. I stepped on the brake pedal and my foot hit the floorboard, nothing happened, I just kept rolling. I quickly pumped the brake pedal and managed to slow to a stop in the middle of the intersection. Thank God I was off the freeway and only about a mile from work. I was able to slowly make my way to work and park my truck.
This was an unexpected way to start the day, to say the least. I knew when I got up it was going to be a difficult day, I started losing my voice yesterday and this morning only squeaky sounds came from my mouth when I tried to talk. As a teacher, no voice equals challenging day.
The brake incident is coming on the heels of my truck getting broken into last week. It would seem my truck is going through a time of testing, and it is taking me along with it. Truck broken into, sick, brakes go out, money is tight. I am sure I am not the only one with problems and I am not trying to play the "I am worse off than you" game. So why tell you all this?
Perspective.
I find that difficulties bring the best perspective on life. Trials can bring on negative thoughts and some people react to conflict by questioning God's goodness, "Why is this happening to me?" or "God how could you let this happen to me?". But if you think about it, it is in the valleys of life that we gain perspective on how good we have it.
It is so easy to assume that problem free is normal. When things go right more often than not, it becomes what is expected. No longer is "the good life" seen as a blessing, but becomes expected, as if we are owed it or deserve it somehow. Trials remind me how good I really have it. When my brakes failed, it reminded me how thankful I am that they stopped my truck thousands of times before. When my stereo was stolen it made thankful that I was blessed to have a stereo in the first place. Being sick makes me so thankful to be healthy and helps me not to take "the good life" for granted.
I think this may be a little of the perspective Paul had in mind when he penned Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me." Read chapter 4 and you will see Paul is not giving some guarantee that Through Christ I can dunk, rather that through Christ I can be thankful in any situation God allows me to go through. It is through his perspective I can see past my situation to the truth that is the amazing provision of God in sustaining my life and saving me from eternal death.
I pray that Christ would give you a new perspective on any situation you are facing today.
Today's prayer:
Holy father, allow me to see this situation through your eyes, give me wisdom on how I can best glorify your name in the mist of my trial and help me to be thankful for the things I have taken for granted.
Great Entry. I love Phil 4 for this very reason. Clearing up false perceptions about it to make the text much much richer in our lives. Great comments Mike and a blessing to read. Thanks Man!
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