In yesterday’s blog I described our family’s vacation from “a really, really bad place.” I cannot say it was the “vacation from hell” as trivializing the words “hell” or “damn” are my least favorite curse words.
I’m serious. I’d rather hear someone use the “F” word, than compare their bad day to the eternal, horrific suffering of hell.
Years ago I asked a friend how their day was and the said they had just experienced “the day from hell.” In my best minor-prophet-call-down-fire-from-heaven voice I said, “Your day was NOTHING like hell.”
This is one of those snappy comebacks that sounds good in a blog, but probably isn’t something Jesus would have said to someone.
Anyway, for the last week I’ve had to ask Jesus to help me choose to be joyful instead of miserable. I’m not saying I haven’t had my grumpy moments (ask my kids if you don’t believe me), but I can say my general attitude has been joyful rather than miserable.
Here’s a couple of lessons I’ve learned this week about choosing joy over misery when confronted with the everyday hassles of life.
1) Since I “rejoice IN the Lord” (Phil. 4:4), facing the day’s problems with a clear vision of God’s presence is non-negotiable. I began each day (with the exception of one) in God’s Word. Luther said, “If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. Except when I have too much business, then I cannot get on without spending three hours in prayer.” I’m not as spiritual as Luther so I spent more like 30 minutes.
2) 1 Thess. 5:18 makes God’s will clear for me when dealing with difficulties. It says “in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” It was a great help for me to discipline myself to identify and thank God for His specific graces.
- I’m not in hell
- After 7 strokes, I’m still not dead
These first 2 put things pretty much in perspective, but God doesn’t stop His graces there so I’ll continue with a few more
- God reminded me of my own limitations. I could do everything in our house that needed to be done, I just didn’t have time. The Psalmist said in Psa. 90:12 “”teach us to number our days, That we may present to You a heart of wisdom.” It’s good to be reminded from time to time that although God is above time, I am in it.
- I had the opportunity to model for my children how to put your trust in God when things don’t go the way you planned (some of the time I took the opportunity… other times… not so much).
- The mechanic @ Mr. Transmission had a loaner van we could use so we weren’t trapped in the waiting room watching soap operas for 2 days.
- After the mechanic replaced the transmission lines he handed me the keys, told me I had “dodged a bullet,” the transmission was okay and the overheating problem was gone.
- After we got back on the road towards home, Necani thanked God for our trip even though it didn’t work out the way we planned and thanked Him for the many miracles we experienced (you can’t buy that at Disney).
These two lessons were important but would not have kept me from being miserable without what I’ll share in my blog tomorrow.
Also, you should sign up for a small group when we begin signups on Aug. 28 (I’m not sure how that fits with this blog, but I thought it needed to be said).
