Thanking God

“Whatever happens, keep thanking God because of Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18 CEV)

The above verse has always perplexed me. How can God ask anyone to be grateful and joyful in the midst of affliction? 

I used to scrounge around and find some bits and pieces for which to be grateful. This feels like looking for loose coins behind couch cushions when you are low on reserves. It never feels like enough to make a difference. 

As I meditated on this verse, I realized that I may have been interpreting it incorrectly all these years. This is not about positive thinking or optimism. This is not about finding joy in our circumstances no matter what. NO, this is about thanking God because of Jesus Christ. No matter what the situation, we can be grateful for the sacrificial love of Jesus, for His constant presence, and His faithfulness. 

God's Love

“Who could ever divorce us from the endless love of God’s Anointed One? Absolutely no one! For nothing in the universe has the power to diminish his love toward us. Troubles, pressures, and problems are unable to come between us and heaven’s love. What about persecutions, deprivations,  dangers, and death threats? No, for they are all impotent to hinder omnipotent love.” (Romans 8:35 TPT)

Love is a topic I do not write much about. I find it hard to describe. I know I love certain people very much, but I can’t explain it very well. What is even more difficult for me is to know if I am unconditionally loved by those whom I love. 

God’s love is even harder for me to fathom. I read about it in Scripture, and I believe it to be true. Yet, I sometimes wonder...God, do You really love me? If so, why don’t I feel Your love all the time? Is there something wrong with my receptors? Are they damaged by troubles, pressures, problems, persecutions, deprivations,  and dangers? 

Scripture assures us that nothing in the universe has the power to diminish God’s love toward us. Whether we can sense it, feel it, or accept it, God’s love remains constant. 

His love is endless. 

His love is omnipotent. 

His love is forever. 

 

Treasure of Faith

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14 NLT)

One year, I met some new refugees from Africa who had moved to Iowa during the middle of winter. They were unaccustomed to the cold temperatures, ice, and snow. I told them that it would get better in a few months as the seasons changed, but that didn’t seem to comfort them at all. 

When our circumstances look awful, platitudes like: things will get better eventually, or time heals all wounds, or you’ll learn to cope--are not helpful. Scriptures about finding happiness in heaven are also not comforting in the midst of a crisis. 

“Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1 NLT)

During adversity, faith is a treasure. It is like finding a buried chest of gold when you are in dire straits. Even the solid faith of a sincere friend can be strengthening when your own faith is flagging. Waiting on the Lord is difficult, especially when we focus on our circumstances. Uncertainty and fear about the future add to the discouragement. Yet, we can be confident in the Lord’s goodness in this lifetime. Faith is not based on what we see or sense, but on the trustworthiness of God. 

Daily Examen

“Don’t invite that insufferable tyrant of sin back into your mortal body so you won’t become obedient to its destructive desires.” (Romans 6:12 VOICE)

We found a tick on our dog recently. Our dog takes a medicine that prevents ticks from surviving after drinking the dog’s blood, but there are no such medicines for the humans in the house. If a tick latches onto our bodies, it could cause Lyme disease. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and skin rashes. Ticks are small and tend to hide in the deep skin folds of our bodies, so they are hard to detect. During warmer months when ticks are prevalent, it is imperative to do a full body check daily for these sneaky bugs. This involves standing naked in front of a mirror and using a second hand-held mirror to check all the hard to see nooks and crannies. 

Evil is similar. Like sneaky ticks, sins latch on and hide deep within the recesses of our bodies and minds. They can be hard to detect, but their impact is destructive. Thus, it is imperative to do a daily scan for these insufferable tyrants. 

St. Ignatius came up with the practice of the Daily Examen--a prayerful reflection on the events, choices, and reactions of the day. First, you spend some time soaking in God’s presence. Then, you review the day for blessings and crosses. Ask the Holy Spirit for the grace to recognize sins. Carefully scan for moments in the day when you felt your heart drop--feelings of desolation, actions that may have hurt others. Take all of this to the Lord. Finally, ask God to help you be better the next day. By carefully examining our conscience each day, we can protect our bodies and minds from the insufferable tyrants of sin and the destructive diseases they bring. 

Prophesy

“I am glad for you to speak unknown languages, although I prefer that you would prophesy.” (1 Corinthians 14:5 CEV)

Matthew Poole, in his commentary on the above verse, describes prophesying as: "The power to open and apply the Holy Scriptures to men’s understandings and conscience." This is different from the predictions about the future and fortune telling that pass for prophecy in many circles.

“Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing!’” (Ezekiel 13: 2-3 NIV)

Prophecy can be useful for the increase in faith and understanding. God grants this gift to some so that they may open and apply the Holy Scriptures to the conscience of others. Yet, this can be a tough ministry. When interpreting Scriptures, human reasoning always dilutes Divine insights. Each person’s experiences and biases filter through--whether you are a speaker, writer, reader, or listener. This can lead to false interpretations. Thus, it is imperative that those who take on the task of teaching pray for discernment and guidance. 

Lord, guide me as I write. May Your Spirit speak through me. Use me to open and apply Scriptures so everyone may understand You better. 

No Substitutes

“I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16 NLT)

When a teacher is absent, a substitute is often assigned to manage the class. Substitute teachers rarely make progress with students. Their role is temporary. They are not around long enough to bond or invest in the kids. In turn, the students may not respect or listen to substitute teachers. Consequently, not much learning happens. 

I often pray for good mentors to come into my life and into the lives of my loved ones. I imagine that positive role models can help us grow. I forget that human mentors are like substitute teachers. They cannot invest themselves in others the way that God does. And we rarely listen to them unless they say what we want to hear anyway. Consequently, not much learning happens. 

God has promised to guide, provide, and protect us Himself. He Himself will rescue the lost and bring back those who have strayed. The Lord will heal the injured and strengthen the weak...Himself. He may use other humans as tools, but He does all the work.

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” (John 6:63 NLT)

Non-Perishables

“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that. Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides. He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.” (John 6:27 MSG)

At the beginning of the pandemic, most stores were completely out of non-perishable foods. People were hoarding rice, beans, canned foods, etc., in case of prolonged shortages. There was no point stocking up on foods that spoil in a few days. 

Most people spend their lives striving for short-term pleasures: food that is tasty but does not nourish, material possessions that fill up every available space but do not bring fulfillment, actions that garner applause but do not make a positive difference, experiences that are exciting but fail to satisfy. This is equivalent to stockpiling milk and bread for a long term. Don’t waste your energy striving for perishables. There is more to life than temporal pleasures. Stock up on that which is non-perishable, satisfying, fulfilling, and eternal.