It really works. What really works?
There’s this practice that folks in scripture would apply when going through tough times and that is to take time out to reflect on those times when they enjoyed either the saving hand of God or the prospering hand of God. They would remember those episodes and it would give them hope. It would give them hope that the same God who delivered and prospered in time past is able to do so while they endure the tough times.
That’s what they did often back in the day.
That works today.
When I start recounting the goodness of God and remember those occasions when He rescued me and blessed me, it does something to me. It does something to how I view whatever current challenging situation may present itself. I recount those occasions when He sent good people to be there with me and for me. I recall the times when He took me out of some tricky situations. I replay those episodes when as an expression of His goodness He would display evidences of His grace whether in a beautiful reading or in a conversation with my wife or seeing my daughters do something brilliant or giving me a better job or showing me a path to something better where serving is concerned. He did those things not to indulge me, but to remind me that this is all about Him and His glory and His ability to remain faithful whatever situation I faced.
Going through just some of those episodes does wonders for me. I can still be stuck in the situation I was in, but there’s a look on my face and a song in my heart. It’s not about accepting the situation as though it’s right and good, it’s about accepting that the God who is with me in the situation is good and does what’s right. Keeping that truth before me reminds me that God is bigger than the situation and spending time focusing on Him and His wondrous acts is the best approach to take.
Give it a go. It really works.
(Photo by Michael Dziedzic on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 