It's a Wonderful Life

Every now and then, I have to reflect on the great things God has done in my life. It's an awesome way to remember how good God is really to us all. We can reflect on the negative until the cows come home and all it will do is make us depressed and wish things in our life were different. Paul is an example of that. He often was imprisioned, sick, ridiculed, beaten, etc. But Paul said it best in Philippians 4:11-12, "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." In hindsight, Paul gave praise to God no matter what his circumstances were. Earlier in the same chapter, Paul tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Why would Paul tell the Philippians twice to rejoice? Can you see their faces when they read it? "Rejoice in the Lord always." Can you see them saying, "well Paul, gee, you don't know what I'm going through. You don't understand how my son is acting. You don't have the debt that I have. You don't have the boss that I have. How can you say to me to rejoice?!" Paul reemphasized for them to rejoice. He knew their hearts. He knew their response. So God wants us to rejoice and be glad even in our adversities. In John 16:33, God tells us that "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Are you going through something right now that you feel like giving up on? Are you waiting for a victory and asking God why not yet? Are you going through a storm and your umbrella is full of holes and you are wet up to your ears? Lately it's been on my heart to write about being thankful. Many times, it's just something to say when it's that time of the year. Honestly, I think that we need to be thankful all year around. This year, Sara and I have had our trials and have had our triumphs. Many of you know the trials and many of you know the triumphs but believe it or not, everyone does not know many of the trials that we have had. Why? The answer may be simple but here it goes, it will do nothing for the problem (see Matthew 6:27). It truly is a wonderful life. I can only pray that you, along with me, can give God the praise for all that He has done, for all that He will do, and dare I say it, the things that He decides not to do.