Thankfulness and Peace
As I am writing this I have just returned from a wonderful vacation in Cuba. You are never really on vacation when you are a writer, however, because there is always so much to inspire and so much to learn. The inspiration I received on this island was the beauty and contentment of the people there. When I first arrived and was driving through the countryside seeing the way people lived, I was upset and my heart hurt. In my western mentality, I connect lower, seemingly poverty living conditions with unhappiness. When I met the people, I discovered that most of them are happy, thankful, and full of love.
This got me thinking about why I would have reacted this way. What is it in our minds that makes us think we are having hardships, a severe trial, or persecution? How much of it is perception? Who told us that if we only have a sandwich to eat, we are poor? Who made the cotton vs silk distinction or the Joe Fresh vs Versace? Who said that if others thought we were weird there was something wrong with us? Where did the idea come from that if we do not have everything we want or think we need that we are somehow in hardship?
I do understand that there is real pain; trust me, I have been there. Even though I was suffering tremendously during the bone marrow transplant and its aftermath I still found a way to focus my heart on God and experience His peace. It is possible to be in a place of God’s presence where it all can melt off you and does not have to have much effect over you.
As I pondered these things, I realized that these people were happy because they focused on being happy. They were thankful for their job, food, healthcare, and a roof over their heads. They valued family, friends, and love and were therefore content. Though different from the way most of us live they are doing some things right and we can learn from it. I have spoken previously about living like you have a secret. That secret is that you have a place in God under the shadow of His wing and if you cast all your care over upon Him, He will care for you. It is standing still and seeing the salvation of our God. It is knowing your children belong to God even if it does not look like it right now. It is knowing you are going to recover when you are in extreme pain right now.
When we refuse to worry, fret, despair, covet, or be moved by our circumstances we can live in joy. I am reminded to be mindful of what is really important. Thankfulness and contentment will carry us a long way. Next time you feel as though you are in a “trial” think about why you feel that way and what God says about it. Is it a trial if it cannot negatively affect you? Is it persecution when you blow it off because you know your value in Christ? If it is on the very serious side can we just act like God’s word is true and count it all joy because we know God will answer our prayer? Yes, my friend, I believe we can. Thank you to the beautiful people of Cuba for teaching me a great lesson.
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:19 NLT
Don’t be obsessed with money but live content with what you have, for you always have God’s presence. For hasn’t he promised you,
“I will never leave you, never! And I will not loosen my grip on your life!” Hebrews 13:5 TPT
