Savoring
"It's not a good day, even if I was happy, productive, and comfortable, if I didn't think of God once during the day."
Good point. But what happens when you have many good days and then end up worrying God will end that goodness?
Life is pretty rosy right now.
But when things are going well, I sometimes find myself worrying when things will start going downhill.
Doubt comes first as a small voice "This happy time in your life couldn't possibly last forever." Insists on settling down like a rude, unwanted house guest. Contaminates thoughts like a wretched, inconsolable child flinging half-rotten meatloaf at a pastel-colored wall. Matures into destruction of joy.
The thoughts are hideous. They punctuate and pollute objectively good seasons of abundance. And they are particularly pernicious because disbelief lies at their core. Come to think of it, they're essentially blasphemous: They question God's goodness. They say, "God's not good enough to let you stay in this season of blessing."
If death is the absolute antonym of "having a good time," then Christian rapper Trip Lee's statement is helpful: "I’d heard it said that death is certain, and even that death should be accepted, but the Apostle Paul took it a step further. He said, 'to die is gain.'" [Phil. 1:21].
When doubt assails me, I need to stop myself immediately. And then replace that doubt with thanksgiving over the current joyful moment, thanksgiving over the fact that there will be more joyful moments, thanksgiving over the fact that there must be more joyful moments. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." [Rev. 21:4]
Good point. But what happens when you have many good days and then end up worrying God will end that goodness?
Life is pretty rosy right now.
But when things are going well, I sometimes find myself worrying when things will start going downhill.
Doubt comes first as a small voice "This happy time in your life couldn't possibly last forever." Insists on settling down like a rude, unwanted house guest. Contaminates thoughts like a wretched, inconsolable child flinging half-rotten meatloaf at a pastel-colored wall. Matures into destruction of joy.
The thoughts are hideous. They punctuate and pollute objectively good seasons of abundance. And they are particularly pernicious because disbelief lies at their core. Come to think of it, they're essentially blasphemous: They question God's goodness. They say, "God's not good enough to let you stay in this season of blessing."
If death is the absolute antonym of "having a good time," then Christian rapper Trip Lee's statement is helpful: "I’d heard it said that death is certain, and even that death should be accepted, but the Apostle Paul took it a step further. He said, 'to die is gain.'" [Phil. 1:21].
When doubt assails me, I need to stop myself immediately. And then replace that doubt with thanksgiving over the current joyful moment, thanksgiving over the fact that there will be more joyful moments, thanksgiving over the fact that there must be more joyful moments. "He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed." [Rev. 21:4]
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