[Pearls Episode 140: Bringing Sunday into the work week.]
We hope your week started off with a blessed Sunday.
We’ve been looking at St. Paul’s words that we should “give thanks in all circumstances.” On Friday we left off with our emotions – and how they can distract us from God’s goodness by seeking low and earthly things.
But many things in life, in and of themselves, are simply difficult to receive as good. Let’s look at two common cases.
First are those “goods” that are only fully realized in Heaven. We’re told to “store up treasure in heaven.” And for some of life’s challenges most of the “payoff” will only be experienced when, Lord willing, we arrive in the place of harps and music that is faintly reminiscent of the Carpenters (we all have our own expectations of heaven…).
This is why at Interior Life we often focus on the reality of heaven – so that it comes more naturally to embrace suffering in this life for the greater glory that awaits. That being said, God is never out done – there is always a “payoff” in this life – in the form of the fruits of the Spirit (peace, joy, gentleness, kindness, etc) and a deepening experience of beatitude.
And, of course, the other challenges we face are when we experience those times of great suffering. One approach to finding gratitude amid life’s greatest trials is to offer them up in very personal ways. For example, if suffering a severe illness, such as cancer, recognizing that somewhere in the world there is someone in similar circumstances (age, family situation, etc) but who does not know the Lord. Or, perhaps is in a war-torn part of the world and not able to access decent medical care. And then we can offer our suffering for grace to be released in that person’s life.
The bottom line is that when we’re challenged to give thanks for our current circumstances, our response must be trust. Trusting that our Heavenly Father is somehow bringing good from our circumstances – even if we may not know how until the next life. And in that sense, saying to God “I trust You” becomes synonymous with “thank You.”
Blessings on your journey with Christ –
Steve and Karen Smith
Interior Life