Spirit & Mind

Joe was dissatisfied. His prosperous farm provided a good living, but something seemed to be missing in his life.

At first, he enjoyed the challenges of building up the place, but now it had become routine. He decided to make a change and get a new place. He contacted Fred, his real estate agent friend, and arranged to have him sell the old place and find him something new.  

A few days later, Joe browsed through Fred’s local ads to see if he could find anything promising. One local property sounded impressive—fertile land, a roomy house, and lots of appeal. He quickly called Fred and asked to see the listed property, thinking it might be what he wanted.  

Fred seemed surprised. “But that’s your place!” he said. “If it sounds great, that’s because it is. I wondered why you wanted to sell.”  

After a pause, Joe said, “You know, you’re right. Cancel the ads and let’s forget it. I’ll enjoy what I have. And thanks for the new perspective.” 

Esther also got a new perspective from Mordechai’s observations about her being part of God’s plan to save her people, the Jews. Occasionally, I experience the same in my spiritual life.

New perspectives usually occur when I emerge from a time of overwhelming struggle, laden with fears and worries, and then think back about it. When I do that, I suddenly realize God’s ongoing presence and provision—something I’d never considered until then. When I emerge, I’m intact and with a stronger faith.

When you are in a tight spot, let God change your perspective. He can give you a shift of view.  

Giving thanks at Thanksgiving might be easy, but thanking God in every circumstance challenges the best of us. Some claim it’s impossible.

I’m a nostalgic kind of guy. In my mind’s eye, I can imagine myself sitting at a table with the early Pilgrims and their Indian neighbors—who had shown them where to hunt and fish and how to plant. They made it through a long winter, planted their crops the following spring, and reaped a bountiful harvest. They thanked God, but also their Indian neighbors.

Fast forward four hundred years, and I wish I could thank God similarly with my parents, children, and grandchildren all gathered around a table. But our family has been torn by deaths, divorces, and remarriages—which has increased and decreased the number of parents and grandparents, along with the houses they all need to get to during the holiday season. Add health complications and distance to the above, and the challenges multiply. Although my wife and my mom try their best to have them all in one place on Thanksgiving Day, they rarely succeed.

Even though the Thanksgiving celebration doesn’t look as I want, I can still be thankful—in all circumstances. And for quite an impressive list of things.

I’m thankful for my family. Although they don’t always act as I wish, I’m proud of my family and grateful God has blessed me with children, grandchildren, and Christian parents.

I’m thankful for friends. The person with several people in a lifetime who will stick with them through thick and thin is fortunate. Moving around so much has made this challenging for me, but I can still find several people whom I could call on if I needed them.

Worshipping a forgiving God makes me thankful. Through Christ, all my sins are forgiven—past, present, and future. He has removed my condemnation and given me Christ’s righteousness.

Believing God has a purpose for my life makes me thankful. He says He has plans for me, that they are good, and that He wants me to prosper. I don’t have to drudge through life; I can enjoy every moment.

Knowing God has the power to redeem any and every situation also makes me thankful. God redeems the frustrating situations I encounter and the suffering I endure through His sovereign power. He brings good from bad and orchestrates events in amazing ways.

This Thanksgiving season, find reasons to give thanks to God. 

It was a season of delays and longsuffering. I had prayed, labored, and waited expectantly for what I had longed for from the Lord, but things constantly went wrong. Nothing manifested for me.

During these times, I was tempted to become discouraged. Other temptations magnified, and it seemed as if this would never end. But I was encouraged as I read about God's commendation of the church of Philadelphia. One of the major praises given by Christ concerned how they had kept His words despite how little they were and how little strength they had. Because of that, the Lord would keep them from the hour of trial that was coming to test the earth's inhabitants.

When I realized that such light and momentary afflictions prepare me for eternal glory, it became much easier to stand firm and trust Christ despite the delays, which were not God's denials.

We are tempted to quit when our strength feels small, yet the Lord God is testing and refining our character and reminding us to be patient. One of the most encouraging truths we can cling to is that if the Lord God is providing the results, it isn't up to us to try and control the outcomes only He can produce. We must simply be still and at peace, rest confidently on His Word, and believe we will reap a harvest in due season if we faint not.

When experiencing a difficult trial that tests and challenges us, the temptation to falter and give up often intensifies right before the Lord is about to do something amazing. We should trust the Lord God to make a way through temptation and bring us into His presence in due season.

Many of us will be tested throughout the course of our lives, but how seriously do we take these tests? Think of what you need to pass God's tests. Then seek out the word of the Lord and delight in Him. 

I have a friend who is losing her vision. When we walk at the state park, we take the asphalt trail, which is flat and smooth. She cannot see tree roots or uneven ground if we enter the woods.

But even if we don’t have vision issues, we can get entangled in the roots of false living. I remember a relationship I had with a nice Christian man. Over time, I saw his conflicting ways of living. He did not back up his beliefs and actions with biblical truths. I saw what wasn’t in his heart and his unwillingness to grow as a Christian. Our relationship grew apart.

Many of us have a favorite devotional book we use daily or while on the run—something that gives a few words of Scripture to ponder throughout the day. Those snippets of God’s truths can be the beginning of a seed to grow into a deeper journey in the Word so that growth will blossom.

Reading books that teach us and reading through the Bible helps us see the bigger picture of God’s shining love. God’s Word lights our way so we can stay on God’s path, not our own.

Think of someone you could walk with and show God’s light to. We all go through periods of light and darkness, so let’s help one another grow through all seasons.

There are too many people in this elevator. Does anyone else feel like the walls are getting closer together?

Thoughts like these have crossed my mind occasionally. I get a little anxious in crowds and small spaces. Almost immediately, I look for the nearest exit because there is not enough air for everyone. Of course, that doesn’t help when seated in an airplane at high altitude. 

Similar concerns also arise when I know I’ll be in a social setting. Although I am familiar with or even related to folks involved in the event, a bit of fear arises. What will they think of me? Am I too quirky or out of step with the norm? What if I do or say something awkward? Okay, where did all the oxygen go?

Reading what Zechariah proclaimed at the birth of his son, John, gives me truth to hold on to. The enemy that assaults me comes from within—self-defeating thoughts and attitudes—and tries to prevent me from serving the Lord by offering my friendship and fellowship to those I encounter.

Zechariah’s words about rescue refer to our mighty Savior, Jesus Christ, the Rescuer. Having placed my trust and faith in Him, the chains of fear break off. Jesus opens the door, allowing in breezes to refresh us all. Taking a deep breath, I am freed to roam the room and offer kindness, acceptance, joy, peace, patience, and encouragement.

If some fears squeeze the air out of you, look to Jesus. He has the key to the chains that bind you. He opens the door. Turn to Him and breathe deeply.