Stronger Than the Struggle

Welcome, friend, come on up here and find a real good spot to rest for a lil’ ol’ moment. It’s plum a great joy to have you stoppin’ over today. This ol’ front porch has seen everything from an ol’ billy goat that tried to climb up on top of the rain barrel to a lil’ squirrel that attempted to stash acorns in my raincoat hangin’ right over there on the hook. You’re certainly among friends here. Let’s git to settlin’ our hearts and be lettin’ God’s truth come rollin’ in like a real cool breeze driftin’ through the mesquites.

Dr. Victor Frankl, imprisoned during the Holocaust, lost everything but one thing. His captors stripped him of his possessions, dignity, and freedom, yet he realized there was one treasure no one could touch. His attitude. He sho’-nuff could choose either bitterness or forgiveness, despair or determination, hatred or hope. That there choice was his alone.

And friend, that truth still stands today. Life is ten percent what happens to us and ninety percent how we git to respondin’ to it. Scripture sho’-nuff’ agrees. Proverbs 15:15 teaches that, “A glad heart creates a continual feast regardless of circumstances.” Philippians 2:1–2 also says, “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion,then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” This here verse reminds us that unity, compassion, and purpose grow from the attitude we choose.

James encouraged sufferin’ believers to take control of their thinkin’. Their troubles were very real, but their attitude was still theirs to choose. Ours is, too.

Father, help me choose an attitude that honors You. Fill my thoughts with truth and my heart with courage. Shape my responses so they reflect Your grace. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Well, there it is now, friend. As you git to movin’ forward, imagine your attitude standin’ right there beside you like a wise ol’ sheepdog that plum knows exactly how to guide the flock. Then, imagine hope risin’ up like bright sunlight spillin’ across a meadow after a long night. Next, imagine strength settlin’ in your spirit like a lil’ ol’ barn cat curlin’ up in the warmest patch of hay. And now, imagine God smilin’, knowin’ He placed the power of attitude right into your own hands. Choose well. Your witness as a child of God matters so much more than you will ever know.

With joy,

Gwen