US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article published on ASSIST News Service, looks at what the Bible says about keeping a godly perspective on life, despite the trials we can face…
Grove, Oklahoma, US
Via ASSIST News Service
“So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today” – Matthew 6:34 (NRSV).
Ugh! What a mess. Was this an indication of what the rest of my day would entail? A tiny pinhole in a quart of milk had leaked overnight, leaving a small lake of white in the top door shelf of my refrigerator. After relocating the rest of the shelf’s contents, I placed the milk jug on my kitchen cabinet and then carefully removed the plastic bin holding its milky residue and dumped it in the sink.
Of course, I left a trail of milk on the floor. After pouring the remaining milk into a glass pitcher, I began cleaning up the mess. Thank goodness my kitchen floor needed to be mopped anyway.
Another testing moment? PICTURE: Eternal Seconds/Unsplash
Disposing of the empty jug, I then finished preparing my breakfast of cereal, topped with my usual fare of blueberries. My morning routine was off, leaving me addled and I did something “stupid.” I poured orange juice on my cereal. Frustrated, and not wanting to waste food, I added milk to the bowl. It made for an unusual tasting, but interesting meal.
Sometimes things happen. We spill milk, but we shouldn’t cry over it. Just like we can’t change the past, we can’t put the milk back into the leaky carton or the toothpaste back in the tube.
While I didn’t let the incident ruin my day, I was definitely aggravated. I’d allowed what happened to take my focus off my breakfast preparations. Hence, my weird-tasting cereal that morning.
Later, I was able to laugh and share my crazy morning with friends. Of course, they could relate. We’ve all had mornings like this. We can either let it shape our attitude for the day and leave us wishing we could just go back to bed or we can choose to see life through the eyes of Jesus.
In Psalm 118:24, the psalmist offers encouragement with these words: “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it” (TLB).
When we face trials of any kind, it’s easy to forget our lives are a gift from God. If we allow trials to derail our attitude, we can miss the potential each day has to offer. Embracing each morning’s sunrise with hope can lead to something new and unique in our lives.
We must, as Paul wrote in Romans 12:12, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (ESV).
Marijohn Wilkin, a successful country songwriter, had drifted away from her faith. Then, in a time of crisis, she visited a church for counseling and prayer. The young minister on duty asked her, “Have you ever considered being thankful to God for your problems?”
On her way home, Wilkin pondered the minister’s question. Arriving home, she began to play the piano and the words to a song came to her. Needing help to finish the lyrics, she asked Kris Kristofferson who helped her complete the words to the song, One Day at a Time.
The partial lyrics follow:
I’m only human, I’m just a woman
Help me believe in what I could be, and all that I am
Show me the stairway, I have to climb
Lord for my sake, teach me to take, one day at a time.
One day at a time sweet Jesus,
that’s all I’m asking from you
Just give me the strength to do everyday
What I have to do.
What if we woke up each day, remembering tomorrow is not guaranteed. Could that change our perspective about our trials, even spilled milk? Would we be more inclined to worry less, be kinder to every living thing and be thankful for all of our blessings?
Would we think twice before letting our anger take control? Would we be more compassionate and forgiving? Would we let go of those things over which we have no control?
Maybe, just for today, we could listen to our heart, take a deep breath and ask Jesus for the strength to handle anything that comes our way.
