Skip to main content

Dismal Forebodings...

              And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

 

            Today is one of those days. Maybe it’s just that when I get up, it’s still dark. Not so long ago, it was light before I woke up. Or, it might just be something my body is doing to me. Or, it might not be anything except my imagination. Whatever the answer, the question is, “Why do I feel like I’m one step away from plunging into an emotional gully?”  You might say that I’m issuing a “depression watch” meaning that conditions are right for one. And if one does develop, that’s OK. I’ve been there often enough, I know the dance routine. And I’m thankful that I haven’t had to dance it often recently.

            I want to be cautious about this because I don’t want my “awareness” to cause a depression. It might just be that I need another nice big drink of water, after all. But today seems to be a good day to remind myself – and you – that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him. Even if we love Him imperfectly.

            Today’s passage doesn’t say that things work out the way we want them to. It doesn’t say things come easy and that you will never struggle with your body, mind, or feelings. It says things work out for the good. More often than not, that means that we become stronger, we learn lessons, we win hard-fought victories. In the long run, it is good for us if for no other reason than that we learn to recognize it, and it provides us with an opportunity to grow closer to God.

            Fortunately, my dismal forebodings seem to have faded. But whether they did or not that would not change the fact that God is good.

           

 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...