Lions and Lessons

So I saw in my dream that he [Christian] made haste and went forward, that if possible he might get lodging there. Now, before he had gone far, he entered into a very narrow passage, which was about a furlong off the porter's lodge; and looking very narrowly before him as he went, he espied two lions in the way. Now, thought he, I see the dangers that Mistrust and Timorous were driven back by. (The lions were chained, but he saw not the chains.) Then he was afraid, and thought also himself to go back after them, for he thought nothing but death was before him. But the porter at the lodge, whose name is Watchful, perceiving that Christian made a halt as if he would go back, cried unto him, saying, "Is thy strength so small? Fear not the lions, for they are chained, and are placed there for trial of faith where it is, and for discovery of those that had none. Keep in the midst of the path, no hurt shall come unto thee."

Then I saw that he went on, trembling for fear of the lions, but taking good heed to the directions of the porter; he heard them roar, but they did him no harm.

- From The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

 I seem to live my life in two modes: lackadaisically or in panic.

When times are good, I enjoy, kick back, and spiritually float along. These are the times when it is easiest to make it look like I have it all together. I am calm and confident, and I have answers!

Then real life hits, the rug gets tugged, everything hits the fan. I find myself grasping for something - anything - that will firmly withstand the buffeting. Usually this involves tears and groaning prayers on my part, begging for a happy resolution and a time of respite once again.

Yet, those moments are the catalyst for growth.

My only catalyst for growth.

Think about it: I ask God to help me grow, then He sends something tough to give me the opportunity to do just that. What do I do? I ask Him to take it away.

In one sense, that's good. At least I'm turning to Him and not away from Him. But I can't rationalize it that easily. Here's why: my prayers tend to run something like this, "Dear God, please help! I don't know if even You can fix this, but please please please try!" (Of course, they sound better out loud, but that's what they boil down to.)

And what happens?

He carries me through, and I see that the lions were chained the whole time. I never was in any real danger. That circumstance, that situation, that relationship that looked out of control was always wholly under His control.

And I see Him turn to me, take my hand, and say, ever so gently, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Someday, I hope to trust Him first and skip the panic.

"Thank You"

Last year, Ann Voskamp's book swept through Christian women's circles. Her style of writing, together with calling her readers back to an appreciation for all God's good gifts, touched hearts.

Yesterday, I read in my devotions about the discipline of thanksgiving - giving thanks to God even in hard times - and the life-attitude thankfulness (or its lack) can create.

I think this all stands out so much to me right now because, this summer, I saw very plainly what ingratitude looks like.

Ingratitude can disguise itself as perfectionism or as high standards. At its most veiled, it parades as wanting the best for the group. But it misses the individual. It crushes and destroys in the name of cohesion and doing the best for the whole.

It is never satisfied with what is; it only sees what still needs to be.

It tramples brothers and sisters in its quest for more.

Even more, when we stop being thankful, we begin to reason away the conviction of sin. My devotions pointed out that Eve, back in Eden, was tempted when she was no longer thankful for what God had provided (an entire garden of good food and beauty, for Pete's sake!) and only saw the one thing that was forbidden. If thankfulness had filled her, her attitude would have been one that focused on all of God's gifts. Instead, she saw the desirability of what was not hers, coveted it, took it. She did not worry about the godly life because she no longer saw the kind providence of God.

How vital thankfulness must be to a Christian's walk!

The fact of the matter is, we always have something for which we can be thankful. Always.
1 John 1:7 "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin." ESV

Focus on that.
You are cleansed of all sin!
You, a sinner?
Absolutely.
But cleansed.

Feel the depth of the desperation of your sin! Then realize what Christ - His very blood - did for you.

What do you feel? I'm guessing gratitude.

This sets the tone for life! It will affect the direction of your thoughts and expectations. It will change your interaction with others. Defenses will drop as other people start to realize that you are aware of everything they offer, that you are grateful for their contribution, hard work, even their presence. And isn't that what the life of Christ in us is supposed to do? To revolutionize the way we do everything, including our interactions with others?

This is not just a soul issue, folks. This is something that touches your life trajectory.

When we grasp for what is not ours, we see only what we have been denied, only the depth of our deprivation.

BUT.

When we find something - one thing - for which we can sincerely thank God, more follow. It really is amazing how quickly they start to come to mind. Because, you see, they're there. You just need the eyes to see them. The eyes of a thankful person.

Be thankful even when - especially when - it costs you something, when it is difficult. What good is a gift that is worthless?

Make your thankfulness valuable by practicing it in the hard times. Start by thanking God for His valuable gift of salvation, and then let thankfulness be part of a daily dialogue between you and your Creator.

But don't let it stop there. Let it pour over into the rest of your life - your interactions with your spouse and boss and friends, your attitude toward possessions and schedules and stressors, your reaction to plans that are spoiled or hurts that others cause.

"And be thankful."

Don't just take my word for it.