July 3, 2024
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change.”
~ Warren Wiersbe
I am naturally an optimistic person. I think my optimism bugs some people, but one of my favorite phrases is, ‘it won’t always be this way’. That’s actually a great phrase of comfort for a lot of things in life — my own experience included. I have endured several uncomfortable elements of the process of chemo — but I can always say to myself, it won’t always be this way, I won’t be on chemo forever.
However, some things happen in our lives that actually will always be this way, some people are on chemo for life; some have lost a loved one and that hole will always exist; some have a severely special need’s child who will always rely on them; some have faced a life-long debilitation from an accident. I actually have many friends moving forward in the midst of a difficult or painful situation that will remain for life and never really resolve to that hoped-for memory in the rearview mirror.
Those difficult situations require a bit more than a velvety phrase of optimistic encouragement. They actually require something we call perseverance! UGH! Perseverance is so much work. One definition of perseverance I had written in my journal years ago was, ‘the grit required to continue to press forward, despite opposition.’ That pretty much sums it up -- but where in the world do we drum up the grit?
Well, you won’t be surprised at my answer — we need to ask the Lord for the grit, I mean, the kind of perseverance required to not only move forward, but serve the Lord and honor Him in the situations we find ourselves.
I have a couple thoughts, but first, let me share the entire quote from Warren Wiersbe, which I abbreviated above:
“Nothing paralyzes our lives like the attitude that things can never change. We need to remind ourselves that God can change things. Outlook determines outcome. If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory.” (Warren Wiersbe)
Even though our circumstances might not change externally, God can change our outlook internally — and that IS change — that IS God changing things.
What are some ways God changes our outlook on life? I’ve thought of three:
Our Soul: When the Psalms mentions our soul it generally refers to our emotions and our thoughts — what we think about and what we feel. When we get that sinking feeling that things will always be this way, the lion’s share of our battle is mental. The Psalms often remind us to intentionally point our soul to God, as in this Psalm from my reading line-up today:
To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies* exult over me. Psalm 25:1-2 (*Where the enemy is represented by some difficulty that will never go away in our life.)
Our Expectations: Note the excellent advice from Mr. Wiersbe: “If we see only the problems, we will be defeated; but if we see the possibilities in the problems, we can have victory. The Apostle Paul said the same thing with a different vocabulary,
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (1 Corinthians 12:9-11)
Our Tribe: God never intended us to walk through life solo, He fashioned the body in such a way that we suffer together and rejoice together. By tribe, I obviously mean the part of the Body of Christ that you regularly hang with. Having a tribe that knows your difficulty and yet will encourage you with regard to your soul and your expectations means the world. Look how Paul conveyed this (and how one sweet friend that I’ve never met encouraged me this week):
If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. (1 Corinthians 12:26)
Paul’s words above end on a positive tone, but The Preacher’s words in Ecclesiastes end with a sober warning on the same subject of finding and cultivating that tribe before the need arises:
“If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:10)
The summary is that some of our suffering won’t always be this way — and some of our suffering will remain. But that doesn't mean that God can’t change our suffering into something useful, doable, profitable, if we remember to lift up our soul, submit our expectations and find our tribe!
Yesterday I made a stop at chemo station 6 of 16 — 10 more to go, which is a mental challenge for me. This is where I need perseverance to stay the course and GET IT DONE! And this is where I need to say thank you once again to my tribe — those whom I know and those whom I don’t but who are a continual source of encouragement. You are the best tribe in the world!
My Love,
Sue
sue@ccontario.com