"Thank You" or "I’m Sorry"

Yippee! It’s Friday!

Have you had a good week? This week’s been a bit loaded for me. If you read my blog from yesterday, you learned that a new friend of mine died unexpectedly. Other situations have tested my character this week, mostly in small ways, but some not so small. The Lord keeps reminding me that any thought that is not taken captive to Christ – that is, those thoughts that don’t line up with whatever is true, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8) – will cause destruction on some level. Could be as simple as going from a good mood to a bad one (and I’m not a moody person), or suddenly becoming anxious as I consider my circumstances. Taking my eyes off Christ even for a second is not a good thing.

I’ve been a Christian long enough to know this. Trials happen all the time. Some are small, others huge, and often they happen right in the middle of a lot of blessing and good things. God is always faithful to see me through. He doesn’t cause the hard times but He does allow them. Each is designed to make me stronger, build my faith in Him. Make me realize even more how dependent I am on Him and see that depending on Jesus Christ is a very safe place to be. God chooses both the duration and the intensity. Won’t be a second longer than necessary and won’t be more than I can handle by His grace. Oh, some circumstances definitely feel harder than I can handle but they really aren’t. Then when it’s served its purpose, poof! The trial will be over.

After 35 years of walking with Christ, I know this for a fact.

Several years ago, the Lord gave me a simple test to gauge my attitude in the middle of a trial. I call it the “Thank you or I’m sorry” test. I perform this little exercise routinely. Works like this: If God decided to bring whatever trial I’m facing to a screeching halt – end it right this minute – what would my first words to Him be?

A heartfelt “Thank you, Lord, I knew You would do it. I knew You would pull me through. You did it. Just like always. You were faithful. This was a tough one. I hated every moment of it, but I experienced Your mercy in the middle. I trusted You.”

Or –

“I’m sorry, Lord. I’m sorry that I didn’t believe You. I’m sorry that I didn’t trust You. My fears got the best of me. My unbelief won out. Please forgive me.”

We serve a God who is faithful even we are not. When I fall down, He brushes me off, tucks my shirt back in, and pats me on the bottom. “You’re okay, Gayle. Go on now.” But when the trial feels too much, He rocks me on His proverbial lap for awhile and dries my tears. Holds me until my fears subside and I can return to what I was doing.

I just want to rest in Christ. Believe Him not just believe in Him. My little test helps me. Like I said, I’m in the middle of something right now. So are you. Maybe lots of “somethings.”

If God were to bring your trial to an end right now, what would your first words to God be? Would you be able to run up to Him, throw your arms around His neck and say “Thanks, Daddy, I knew You would fix it. I knew You would make it better.”? Or would your first words have to be, “I’m sorry, Lord. Hate to admit it but I just didn’t think You were going to take care of me this time.”

God’s gonna love us either way. Our response won’t change that a bit. Still, I get to choose. Which will it be? Thanksgiving or repentance? I choose thanksgiving, right now. I will it so. For God is good and His ways are good. All the time.

Have a great weekend everybody. I’ll see you back on Monday.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom
and broke away their chains.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
and his wonderful deeds for men,
for he breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.
(Psalm 107:13-16)