Happy Easter to everyone! This week’s post will be short and sweet. I have mentioned before some devotionals that I read and a reoccurring theme throughout them is giving God thanksgiving and praise. This is how we keep our eyes fixed on Him, when the world around us spins with anxiety and distractions. This is how we show our love for Him. This is how we seek His face.
There are many times in life when it is easy to be thankful. This Easter may be one of those, when we have friends and family around us, we have good food set on the table, and we are filled with joy knowing that God saved our souls. There are other times, often more numerous, when it is difficult to be thankful because we are in a trial. Or maybe we are in a rough season, where the days drag on that are filled with anger, sadness, fear, doubt, resentment, or worry. We feel bogged down, depressed, and defeated. This is the greatest time to feel God’s presence because we give up control in practicing humility. “Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Ep 5:20) Although this is not easy, this is what carries us through. “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (Ja 1:2-4) We become stronger in and through God, knowing He cannot and will not let us be defeated.
It has also been said that God never gives us anything we can’t handle. I had a patient that mentioned he was instructed by God to fast every other day for 40 days. I decided this Easter season was a good time to follow in his footsteps. My wife and I embarked on this journey and while we had fasted before, the sinewave like oscillations in mood, energy, and emotion got to be draining after the 3rd week. I often had to remind myself of the above and in reading my daily devotionals, I felt comfort in knowing that God was with me. Now did it make it “easier”? Sort of. What happened for me was a shift in perspective and talking to God more, thinking of things I was grateful for, asking for help more, seeking His face more. I was able to take things one day at a time.
As we close out this time of repentance, reflection and growth, I offer us all the opportunity to keep going with healthy habits we have established, like prayer, thanksgiving, and charity towards others and continue to pray and work on those pieces that still act as footholds for Satan to be present in our hearts. I know that through God, we can continue to persevere. We have that grace because He died for us and in doing so, saved us and will bring us into His glory.
Leave a Reply